The provincial government of Albay is moving to declare a state of emergency in coastal areas hit by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) to unlock relief assistance for local fisherfolk.
Albay Governor Noel Rosal announced that the executive branch will recommend the declaration to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), targeting communities along both the eastern and western seaboards where rough seas have prevented fishermen from venturing out to sea.
”We need a basis. We will just make a recommendation, but it is up to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. We will recommend declaring a state of emergency in the western and eastern seaboards so we can assist, even if it’s just rice,” Rosal said.
Rosal plans to certify the measure as urgent to accelerate its passage during the provincial board’s upcoming regular session.
”If we can recommend it by Tuesday, we will have it approved so we can immediately provide assistance to our fishermen,” he said.
Under the initial plan, the provincial government aims to allocate at least 10 kilograms of rice per eligible fisherfolk beneficiary, subject to fund availability and the resolution’s approval.
”If I had my way, I would like to give 20 kilograms each, but I want everyone to receive assistance first,” Rosal said.
An estimated 40,000 fisherfolk across the province stand to benefit from the proposed relief effort.
”This is because of the ‘habagat’. We also have to help fisherfolk in the coastal communities along the eastern and western seaboards,” he said.