Butuan City fisherfolk receive fiberglass boats, fishing gears
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Continuing its support for the local fishing community, the city government of Butuan, through the City Agriculture and Veterinary Department (CAVD), distributed 26 units of fiberglass boats and 35 sets of fishing gears, including rods, reels, and nets to fisherfolk in the city.
This is through the ‘Baoto Ko, Hiyang Ko Program’ (or My Boat, I Make Program) of the CAVD, which aims to strengthen the livelihood of fisherfolk and uplift the socio-economic condition of coastal communities.
“Under the program, our fisherfolk undergo various training sessions on boat making. They are taught how to build their own boats with the help of the materials from the city government, which can later serve as a sustainable source of income,” said Engineer Pierre Anthony D. Joven, head of the CAVD.
Engineer Joven also reminded the beneficiaries not to sell or rent out the boats to ensure their long-term use and maximize the benefits of the program.
Melvin Cempron, one of the beneficiaries from Barangay Libertad, shared how the program has improved his livelihood. “I am beyond grateful for the program, especially because it not only provided me with a boat but also taught me the skills of boat making. A private company discovered my work through Facebook and asked me to make 13 boats at P2,000 each,” he said.
Since its implementation in 2023, the program has already distributed 60 fiberglass fishing boats worth P15,000 each, including the 26 units turned over on Oct. 24, 2025, in Barangay Pigdaulan.
Butuan City, due to its strategic location is not only rich in agricultural land but also in coastal areas where fishing and aquaculture is the primary source of income.
The ‘Baoto Ko, Hiyang Ko Program’ stands as a testament to the city government’s commitment to empowering the fisheries sector not only by providing fishing equipment but also by equipping fisherfolk with the skills and knowledge needed to improve and sustain their livelihood. (MFC, PIA Caraga, with a report from Butuan City PIO)
