Fishermen Affected By Yolanda to Be Fully Sustained

All fishermen who were affected by super typhoon Yolanda should be given a sustainable assistance by the government not only in terms of financial support but also, fishing materials and alternative livelihood.

These things are the salient points of a resolution to be filed by Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano of the Cebu’s sixth district.

Ouano said that in his resolution, he will suggest that all fishermen in Cebu province, especially those who are residing in the northern municipalities and a city in the northern part of the province whose livelihood were ravaged by the super typhoon, should be properly looked into by the government.

He said that logistical support is not enough, but they need to have motor bancas, fish nets and other fishing paraphernalia, and also alternative livelihood to give them life.

Ouano explained that alternative livelihood such as poultry raising, sari-sari store and other kinds of small enterprise can be handled or managed by a wife of a fisherman.

He said that the fisherman’s wife is not only to supervise her children but to take care also of some alternative livelihood being assigned to her by her husband.

Ouano who used to be the city mayor of Mandaue city prior to his election as a provincial board member, said that he experienced personally how difficult the status of the fishermen in the municipality of Cordova when their sea livelihood was suddenly disturbed by the oil spill caused by the collision of the two vessels off Lauis ledge in Talisay City last August this year. Oil from the sunken vessel leaked, reaching the coastal barangays of Cordova.

Because of that tragedy, Ouano said that this is high time now for him to propose everything for the welfare of the fishermen whose livelihood was cut off due to the man-made and natural calamities.

Image Credit: firstperson.oxfamamerica.org