IBA, Zambales — In a bold step toward revitalizing the local fishing industry, the Zambales provincial government will procure an automated harvester vessel along with ancillary boats, and implement advanced training for fisherfolk to strengthen their competitiveness amid ongoing challenges in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the initiative aims to jumpstart the modernization of Zambales’ fisheries sector through the acquisition of a 96-foot, steel-hulled harvester boat. This will be supported by two reinforced fiberglass lightboats and one service boat, under a fisherfolk assistance program spearheaded by the Zambales Maritime Development Council (ZMDC).
The vessels will be constructed by Stoneworks Specialist International Corp. in General Trias, Cavite — the country’s largest maker of fiberglass boats and a known builder of barges, tugboats, and custom vessels. The boats will be operated by the Zambales Provincial Fishery Association, a federation of local fisherfolk groups.
While awaiting the vessel’s delivery within the year, fishermen will undergo training on modern vessel operation in partnership with the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso.
Ebdane emphasized that skills training is just as crucial as vessel acquisition.
“Learning new technology and developing new skills is necessary for our fishermen to be competitive. They need to adapt in order to survive and thrive,” he said.
Two fisherfolk clusters have already completed training with PMMA, and more groups are expected to follow.
The modernization effort is part of Ebdane’s broader strategy to empower local fishermen who have been severely affected by harassment and restricted access to traditional fishing grounds in the WPS due to Chinese militia presence.
“The WPS issue has socio-economic, political, and security implications, but we must always put the welfare of our fishermen first,” Ebdane stressed.
Last year, the governor led the creation of the ZMDC to manage fisherfolk cooperatives and oversee the distribution of over P5 million worth of fish aggregating devices, or payaos, to 26 fishing groups. An additional P5.6 million worth of payaos will be distributed this year under the council’s livelihood support program.
Ebdane described the procurement of the automated vessel as a logical next step:
“This gives our local fishers a real fighting chance—a long-term solution to the WPS problem.”
Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association, welcomed the initiative, citing the significant leap in technology.
“Bago sa amin ‘yan—wala pang bakal na bangkang pangisda dito sa Zambales, at pati ang mga instrumento ay computerized na. Kaya kailangan talagang pag-aralan namin kung paano gamitin ito,” he said.
Cuaresma added that fisherfolk are hopeful the new vessel will increase harvest productivity and reduce dependence on commercial operators:
“P’wedeng ang pederasyon na mismo ang magsimbada, at hindi na kailangang magbayad pa kami sa may mga lantsa.”