Speedy government assistance for Ulysses-hit fisherfolks sought

Speedy government assistance for Ulysses-hit fisherfolks sought

Manila, Philippines – The national fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Thursday called on the national and local government units to immediately assist fishing families affected and displaced by Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco).

In a statement, PAMALAKAYA said fishing and coastal families, most especially in Southern Tagalog, are hardest hit by the successive typhoons since Typhoon Pepito (Saudel), followed by Typhoons Quinta and Rolly that affected tens of thousands of vulnerable families in Luzon.

“Fishing and coastal families were forced to vacate communities to seek shelter in evacuation areas. Local government authorities must be prepared in providing assistance to these families to ensure that the natural calamity will not further the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic. We appeal for a speedy government support in a form of economic aid and livelihood subsidy,” Ronnel Arambulo, PAMALAKAYA-Southern Tagalog Spokesperson said in a statement sent to media outfits.

Arambulo, who hails from Rizal province said that fisherfolk in Southern Tagalog region are unable to return to normal fishing production for more than a month now due to the successive typhoons that hit the archipelago. Coastal residents from Laguna de Bay in Binangonan, Rizal were also evacuated due to possible flooding of communities.

The fishers’ group added that personal protective equipment (PPE) and health care must be provided to the fisherfolk evacuees as part of health safety measures as they are exposed to risky evacuation centers.

“Aside from relief packs containing basic necessities, PPEs along with health services should be provided to the evacuees to protect them against any possible virus disease that could worsen their situation,” Arambulo ended. ###

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