The pandemic resulted with protocols in fishing that regulated the number of fishermen
who sails out to sea. There were delays and cancellation of government projects.
During the lockdown, fishing was allowed but regulated. Ambulant vending (padyak )
was restricted but a few had travelled as far as Ilocos Norte to sell their catch. They say: No
catch, no compra (fish brokerage). Despite lean catch caused by restrictions and protocols, stall
lessees were still required to pay rental fee. The Philippine Coast Guard was keen on social
distancing when fishing. That is, maximum of two (2) fishermen are allowed on a boat. Only 40
fisherfolks are allowed to do daklis. They had to comply with requirements such as food pass
and travel pass.
When asked for incidence of abuse and harassment during the pandemic, the women
fisherfolks replied in the negative.
Government support and assistance during the ECQ was sufficient, they agreed. The
SAP, the native chicken and seedlings distributed by the Provincial Government, and other relief
goods distributed by private individuals like Respondent M as well as the feeding program of
PNP as part of their Community Outreach tided the fisherfolks during the onset of the pandemic.
Respondent N noted that surviving the pandemic and making both ends meet depends on the
fisherfolk. This was concurred by Respondent M since there is no dearth of alternative income
such as online selling, deboning, bagoong and gamet making or seaweed drying.
There is one loophole though. Government projects were stopped or delayed.
To
illustrate:
⮚ DA planned to lend capital for their fish brokerage/dealership but remains unrealized.
⮚ Fish cages were built and positioned but there is no financial aid yet to purchase fish
feeds.
⮚ A list of beneficiaries was circulated/created but with the pandemic, the identified
beneficiaries have not received any assistance.
⮚ BFAR conducted training on boat making but these boats produced by the fisherfolks did
not meet the standards hence fisherfolks spend for their repairs and retrofitting.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS
The 15 key informant interviewees have the following recommendations:
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