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MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Fulfilling his pledge to assist Cavite鈥檚 fishing communities which were devastated by a massive oil spill last year, Senate Majority Leader Francis 鈥淭OL鈥� Tolentino today led the turnover of motorized fiberglass reinforced boats to fisherfolk associations and cooperatives in several localities.

鈥淭hey work hard daily to bring food onto our tables, but our fisherfolk are among the most marginalized, and they deserve the government鈥檚 full support,鈥� said Tolentino, as he led the turnover of fiberglass boats each in Naic, Tanza, Rosario, and Cavite City.聽

In partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Department of Agriculture (DA), the distribution of fiberglass boats seeks to help uplift the economic conditions of Cavite鈥檚 fishing communities.

鈥淟ast year, when the massive oil spill from Bataan spread out to neighboring provinces, especially Cavite, their source of income was wiped out because of the ban on fishing and selling of fish and other marine products,鈥� the senator recalled, in reference to the massive oil spill from the ill-fated MT Terranova, which sank in the waters off Limay, Bataan on July 25 due to bad weather.

鈥淭oday we are back to fulfill our pledge to assist our fishing communities, and to help improve their livelihood,鈥� he added.

To recall, it was Tolentino who filed Senate Resolution No. 1084, which prompted the Senate to investigate the oil spill鈥檚 impact on fishing communities and the coastal ecosystem.

In August, Tolentino joined President Ferdinand 鈥楤ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. in providing financial assistance to thousands of Cavite fisherfolk.

The senator himself led relief operations for the affected communities.

Aside from the boats provided in the four local government units, Tolentino also facilitated the awarding of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) assistance to fisherfolk organizations in Talisay, Batangas last February 5, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD).

A similar program initiated by the senator will benefit fisherfolk groups in Balayan, Batangas on Monday, February 10.