April 1, 2013 11:09am
http://www.gmanetwork.com/Bohol is famous because of its natural attractions, unique culture, and abundant marine resources. But despite all of these, its fishermen still remain among the poorest in the Philippines.
In her report for the GMA News special series “Biyaheng Totoo,†Sherrie Ann Torres went to Bantigue, one of Bohol’s smaller islands, to see for herself how the fishermen are affected by illegal fishing activities in the area.
Eugenio Abapo, a fisherman who has three children studying in elementary school, says he can’t even buy his own fishing net. His income is just enough to get his family through the day, and to cover the cost of his children’s education. On days when he doesn’t catch enough fish, he borrows rice and canned goods from the sari-sari store on credit.
According to the National Statistics and Coordination Board (NSCB), two out of every five fishermen are considered poor. This is equivalent to around 41.1 percent of all fishermen in the Philippines. Sadly, Mang Eugenio and most fishermen in Bohol belong to this segment.
Will their concerns be addressed by the country’s new batch of leaders to be elected this 2013?
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