The Municipality of Panglao received 15 units of fiber glass boats with engines from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region VII and the Bohol Provincial Government on March 10, 2023.
The boats were blessed and officially turned over to various fisherfolk groups in Panglao during a ceremony attended by Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, BFAR-VII Regional Director Dr. Allan Poquita, BFAR Provincial Fisheries Office-Bohol Head Ms. Bruna Abrenica, and BFAR Division Chief Mr. Pierre Easter Velasco.
Panglao Mayor Edgardo F. Arcay, together with Vice Mayor Noel E. Hormachuelos and Councilor Benedict Alcala as Chairman of Agriculture and Fisheries, witnessed the event and expressed their gratitude to BFAR and the provincial government for their continuous support to the Panglaoanon fishermen.
The fiber glass boats are part of a project initiated by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), led by Mr. Rojeine Sedillo, to provide livelihood assistance to the fisherfolk associations in Panglao.
Panglao is a fourth-class municipality in Bohol province with a population of 39,839 as of 2020. It is one of two municipalities that make up Panglao Island (the other being Dauis), which is known for its diving locations and tourist resorts.
The recipients of the fiber glass boats are: POBLACION Fisherfolk Association, DANAO United Fisherfolk Association, TABUAN Fisherfolk Association, DOPAFIAS Fisherfolk Association, KANAMABI Fisherfolk Association, NAGMANDO Fisherfolk Association, TAWALA Fisherfolk Association, DAORONG Fisherfolk Association, LOOC BAY Fisherfolk Association, BOLOD Fisherfolk Association, PAMELO Fisherfolk Association, and KALAGMANA Fisherfolk Association.