Owners of fishing vessels that were damaged by Typhoon Frank last June can now submit their applications for the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Funds loan to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Negros Occidental BFAR chief Carlito Delfin said.

He said that only one applicant has, so far, submitted documents to avail of the non-collateral and no-interest loan.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed concerned agencies to fast-track the processing of the applicants so that affected fishermen can get back on their livelihood quick and attend to the needs of their families, he added.

Delfin said their office reviews the papers submitted, and those that are complete will be forwarded to the BFAR regional office, then to the central office and finally to the office of the Secretary of Agriculture for approval.

The entire process could take at least two months, he said.

Last August 4,  the BFAR held an ACEF orientation in Bacolod City that was attended by almost  30 fishing operators led by Cadiz Councilor Roy Vijandre, president of the Negros Occidental Commercial Fishing Association. BFAR Assistant Director Benjamin Tabios Jr. and Regional Director Drusila Esther Bayate discussed the requirements and guidelines for the availment of loans.

Borrowers under the Micro category can receive as much as P3 million; Small, P15 million; and Medium, P100 million.

BFAR figures show losses of the commercial fishing industry of Negros Occidental have reached about P500 million. Large fishing boats cost between P25 million while 35 million and catcher vessels, about P10 million.

In Cadiz City alone, the province's commercial fishing capital, 34 vessels were reported to have been damaged or to have sunk.*NLG

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