Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur —- The “bangka” or boat for most people is a mere mode of transportation used to bring people to places only accessible by water. For the people of Barangay Militar,Tukuran in Zamboangadel Sur however, it’s a different story — the boat is their means of livelihood.

Militar is a coastal barangay in the east coast of the municipality 3 kilometers away from Poblacion or town proper. Almost all, if not all, of the residents of this barangay rely on fishing as their primary source of living.

SemerinoT agpas, a fisherman, shares how hard it was before for him and other fisher folks in their community to earn enough for their family as they had to remit a chunk of their earning to the commercial fishing vessel where they used to board to catch fish to be sold.

“Sa una wala pa mi bangka, gamay nalang mi abut sa among pamilya kay kuhaan pa man sa pamasahe sa barko human naa pa’y porsyento nga ihatag.”(Before when we didn’t yet own a boat, we could only give little amount to our family because we still had to pay the fare and a certain amount of share to the boat.)Semyong said.

When Semyong had a little amount of savings, he was able to buy materials to make his own small Bangka. However, he seemed not contented with it. Though they regularly receive cash grant from Pantawid Program, he didn’t feel secured as the program is implemented temporarily. He wanted to secure his children’s future through a more permanent and sustainable living.

“Katung nakahimu na mi kining Bangka (referring to his makeshift boat), dilipud mi makaabante ani kay musaka ang tubig. Human dili pud mi makaadtu sa lawud kay dili man kaya, kay kasagaran ang isda naa man sa laud. Gamay lang gihapun ang among makuha.”(When we were able to make our own Bangka, we still couldn’t go a little far because the water gets in since you can usually catch more fish in the deeper part of the sea. So we still had barely an amount to bring home.”Semyong recounted.

Relying mostly on the sea for their livelihood, the people saw the need to own a bangka. Semyong disclosed that before, he usually earned only 150 pesos at most and naught at least in a day. This is why he had to look for other ways on how he can earn additional income just to keep going, until Kalahi CIDSS-PAMANA came to their community.

In May 2014, some 14 fisherfolks rejoiced over the cruising of KALAHI CIDSS-PAMANA to the fishing community of barangay Militar. 14 units of Bangka or fishing canoes were provided by the DSWD to the members of Militar Fisher folk Association through KC-PAMANA. This is in exchange of the work they would render in the construction of 400 meters concrete pathway located in the same village.

“Katung niabut ang pamana ingun naku, na ipalista sah atung ngan sa PAMANA aron makadawat ta Bangka. Timing pud kay ang gi-prioritize nga maka-apil katung mga 4Ps (Pantawid beneficiary), lingaw pud mi kay pantawid man mi.” (When PAMANA came I told my wife to enlist our name so we can avail a bangka. We were lucky because they prioritized the members who are pantawid beneficiaries, we were so happy.”

Each beneficiary was made to work for 8 hours earning Php 500.00 per day until they would complete the number of working days equal to the amount of 18,846 which is the unit price of each Bangka.

 “Lipay kaayu mi katung nadawat na namu ning Bangka. Dili name magbugsay kay naa may makina. Makadtu na pud mi layu gamay human taud-taud na pud ang among mabutang sa barilis kay dagku man nikompara sa una. Daku jud ang nausab sa among panginabuhi. Daku na ang pangita para sa pamilya, igu na gyud para sa akung unum nga anak.” (We were so happy when we received the banka. We no longer need to paddle because it already comes with an engine. We can already go farther so we can also catch more because this is bigger compared to what we used to own. This really brought a big change to our life. Now I’d be earning big, big enough to support my 6 children.) Semyong shared.

Semyong, ended his sharing by saying, “Tungod sa aning mga bangka nga gihatag sa pamana, kaya na namu mutindug para sa among pamilya. Makaingun gyud ku kay kaya natu ang kausaban kung maningkamut lang ta.” (With these boats, we can now stand on our own for our family. I can even say that we can make change happen if we work hard.)