Catch to Cash: Fisherfolks of Misamis Oriental generate more income through DOST program
The Dampias Fisherfolks Association (DAFIAS) of Binuangan Misamis Oriental has actually turned their catch to more cash with assistance from the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) programofthe Department of Science and Technology Region X (DOST-X).
“Sa wala pay nets, tagagmay ra [ang kita] kay dili man mi makapanagat kung walay net. Karon naaygabii, muhalin mi ug tag 1,500 pesos. 1,200-1,300 pesos ang hinlo. Sa isa ka bulanmga 12,000 to 15,000 pesos ang income. Dako2 gyudnatabang,” said Cesar Excelise, member of DAFIAS, as he expressed his gratitude to DOST for the livelihood support granted to their association. (Before, we can only earn a little since we have no nets, and we cannot go fishing without them. Now, we can reach Php 1,500 sales a night with a net income of Php 1,200 to 1,300. Overall, we earn Php 12,000-15,000 a month. The project is a big help.)
Before the DOST intervention, Excelise’s monthly income from squid catch ranged from only Php6,000 to Php7,000. The money was barely enough for food and other basic needs. Now, with a net he increased his catchthat includes kutob and pidlayan. He can now provide not only for the family's daily needs but also for clothes, housewares, and two cellular phones for his children's online classes.
Excelise also thanked the Local Government Unit of Binuangan for all the help and efforts they extended the association. He further solidified his gratefulness to the LGU and became a volunteer for Bantay Dagat or the Fish Wardens of Binuangan.
“Volunteer ko sa Bantay Dagataginalangtabangsailaba [LGU] aronmakatabang sad ko sailasailanggitabangsaako,” Excelise added. (I am now a volunteer at Bantay Dagat as my way of helping and giving back to the government.)
The DOST-X’s S&T interventions included fishing gears and training for 25 fisherfolks in Dampias, Binuangan, Misamis Oriental with the project fund amounting to Php299,000.
The fishing gears were composed of multifilament nets, lead sinkers, hanging line ropes, sack floaters, and round buoys. The series of training provided by DOST-X tackled the assembly and mending of nets and the re-orientation of the Binuangan Comprehensive Fishery Ordinance in support of Republic Act 10654 known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
For more information on the different services and programs of DOST-X, please get in touch with Julie Anne H. Baculio, Science Research Specialist I at stpromotions@region10.dost.gov.ph or mobile number 0917-709-3706.(Rain Shower R. Dalugdug, DOST-Misamis Oriental)
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