By Jason De Asis
BALER, Aurora-As a gesture of continuous full support to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) in the province of Nueva Ecija, the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – National Freshwater Technology Center (BFAR-NFTC) distributed 16,000 fingerlings to two People’s Organizations (POs) held at Barangay Bantug, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija on Thursday.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that 5,000 hito and 5,000 karpa fingerlings were awarded to Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Barangay Malinao Association (SNMBMA) headed by its President Roderick Tribianis while some 3,000 hito and 3,000 karpa fingerlings to Barangay Tagumpay People’s Association (BTPA) President Yolanda Baldos.
“This is our commitment to POs as one of our efforts to help uplift their lives and socio-economic conditions by engaging in fishery livelihood endeavors. Of course, to improve food security and alleviate poverty,” Recto said. He added that the 91st IB and BFAR will continue to help the said POs technically to earn additional income. “We are hoping that our POs will manage the free fingerlings given to them from the government,” Recto said.
BFAR-NFTC Center Chief Ma. Jodecel Danting said that the success of the free distributions is through the efforts of 91st IB who provided the necessary documents for the POs and also in support to the National Task Force ELCAC. SNMBMA President Tribianis and BPTI President Baldos expressed their sincerest thanks to 91st IB and BFAR for helping former rebels like them.
“We were pleased with the program of NTF-ELCAC as it provided us with additional livelihood that helps sustain the needs of our families,” they said.
