MANILA (UCAN): The Pasig City Business Club gave more than 30 boats and gasoline vouchers to residents of Rapu-Rapu island in Albay province, who rely heavily on fishing, to help cushion the blow soaring prices petroleum products.
“We have delivered 32 boats to families living on Rapu-Rapu island. They earn their living by fishing but now, because of the soaring prices of gasoline and diesel, cannot afford to fish anymore,” said Martin Farinas, the group’s secretary.
The price of diesel is now at 92.50-99.45 pesos [$13.71-14.74] per litre while gasoline is at 97.24-97.90 pesos [$14.41-14.51] per litre.
Farinas said they had received reports that parents had stopped sending their children to school because they had no income.
“It’s more expensive to catch fish than just to buy fish. We say we should teach them how to catch fish instead of giving them fish. I guess that’s not true today anymore,” Farinas added.
The fishing community had appealed for aid from government authorities but was asked to wait until president-elect, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is sworn into office.
They told us to wait until Bongbong Marcos seats as president. They said they had no budget to help us. So, we wrote a letter to private corporations. We are very grateful the Pasig Business Club responded
Jaime Gerona
“They told us to wait until Bongbong Marcos seats as president. They said they had no budget to help us. So, we wrote a letter to private corporations. We are very grateful the Pasig Business Club responded,” Albay parishioner, Jaime Gerona, Radyo Veritas.
Gerona thanked their parish priest for giving their group a list of potential benefactors that would give them donations.
“We never expected our prayers would be granted by the private sector. We are very grateful for this. The gasoline vouchers are more than enough to help us,” he added.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Another group of fisherfolk in General Santos City, Soccsksargen in South Cotabato, Mindanao, also appealed to the private sector to help them through subsidies amid increases in oil prices.
The Minanga Buayan Fishermen Association said they needed fuel vouchers because their fuel expenses had doubled.
“A few months ago, our usual expense for gasoline was 500 pesos ($10) but now they amount to 1,000 pesos [$148.23],” a General Santos fisherman Rodel Jarabejo said.
Father Joem Afable of Sorsogon, recommended that the Pasig City Business Club choose the poorest fishing communities in the country by coordinating with Caritas Philippines. “The private sector could work with Caritas to identify really deserving recipients—those in the poorest communities,” he said.
