Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) — San Miguel Corporation has joined forces with Bantay Dagat to help protect Philippine waters and to ensure sustainable livelihood for small fishing communities, especially in areas where it operates.
“Our goal is to help preserve and protect marine resources, so that local fishermen can sustain and even improve their livelihoods for the long-term,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The sea is their primary source of food and income,” Ang said. “We want to help where we can make the biggest difference — in this case, empowering locals to better protect the seas and their livelihoods and bring tangible, sustainable benefits in communities where we operate.”
The conglomerate is partnering with Bantay Dagat in Calatagan, Batangas and has donated patrol boats to the community-based group so that fisherfolk in the coastal villages can help guard the area, particularly against illegal fishing methods.
“A boat each was also given to the Municipality of Calatagan and the Philippine Air Force based in Batangas to boost patrolling in the area,” the SMC said.
It also made “a larger donation of 19 motorized boats for local fisherfolk groups, to be used primarily for their livelihood,” it added.
Vivencio de Guzman, a member of the Bantay Dagat in Calatagan, said the boats would boost not only their patrols, but also aid in the livelihood of small fishermen.
Apart from the donation of boats, San Miguel is also helping the community to learn other ways to earn income.
