When Super Typhoon Odette struck in 2021, it left a trail of destruction that nearly wiped out the livelihoods of fisherfolk in Barangay Pinamungahan, Toledo. Among those hardest hit was Felix Bucao, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) turned fisher.
Felix Bucao, aged 47, came home to the Philippines to be with his family and worked for a construction company to make ends meet. After a while, he realized he was better off as a fish catcher since his life revolved around fishing in his younger years. But when Super Typhoon Odette hit Cebu, Felix and the fisherfolk of Toledo were left with unusable boats and fishing equipment that were essential livelihood tools.
In the aftermath, the community was left in despair, uncertain how they would rebuild their lives. But hope arrived when Therma Visayas, Inc. (TVI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, stepped in to help. Partnering with the local government of Toledo, TVI provided the fisherfolk of Barangay Pinamungahan with livelihood re-starter kits that included 16 units of motorized boats and new fishing nets and oars. This crucial support came as part of the livelihood projects aimed at helping local associations and cooperatives recover from the disaster.
Bigger boats, gear, artificial coral reefs, training
TVI also saw how the fisherfolk struggled to stay afloat their seasonal catch, so it provided fishing equipment and training to enhance fishing methods. The support and sustainable drive of TVI led to catch from Tañon Strait for the Pinamungahan fisherfolk. TVI also artificial coral reefs to aid the proliferation of fish and maintain eco-balance. However, its utilization is still pending due to BFAR regulations. While waiting for the launch of the artificial coral reefs, TVI provided them with two units of “payaw” or floating fish egg and small fish nurseries. It also committed several units of bigger motorized boats.
“During Typhoon Odette, our immediate response was to provide relief operations to our host communities, to help them start up after the typhoon,” recalled Nova Cruz, Reputation and Stakeholder Management Operations Specialist of TVI.
For Felix and his fellow fisherfolk, In addition, TVI offered scholarships to the children of fisherfolk, giving them access to quality education. “Mapasalamaton kaayo kami sa TVI sa ilang suporta. Ang ilang tabang wala lang nakapauswag sa among panginabuhian kon dili naghatag usab ug paglaom alang sa mas hayag nga kaugmaon sa among mga anak” (We are deeply grateful to TVI for their support. Their assistance has not only improved our livelihood but has also given hope for a brighter future for our children. I hope they continue to support everyone, not just us fisherfolk), Felix said.
With the help and commitment of TVI and Local Government , the fisherfolk of Barangay Pinamungahan are gradually rebuilding, exemplifying the power of community-driven recovery and resilience.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by Aboitiz Power Corporation.