Mang Aroy is grateful for new Tondaligan Park
ADDED LIVELIHOOD FOR FISHERFOLK
FISHING in the open sea for 38 long years has been the main source of livelihood for 71-year-old Lazaro Cabrera of Dagupan City to support his family.
Mang Aroy from Barangay Pugaro, said fishing has been his only source of income to cover the costs of education for his five children, namely, Emilie, Elisa, Vangie, Rosalie and Manny.
Elisa and Rosalie, had earned college degrees in Education and are now working in Saudi Arabia as assistants of a princess while his other children opted to drop out.
He now has two motorized bancas, one of them is under the care of Manny, his youngest child and the only boy in the family.
In spite of his age, Mang Aroy, a widow for four years now, still goes to the sea to fish but with one other new activity.
The development and improvement of Tondaligan Park not only has the beach began attracting more patrons and tourists but has provided him and others a new opportunity to earn more by ferrying guests out to the safe area of the sea for an adventure and sightseeing ride.
His banca, like other bancas owned by other fishermen, powered by a 16-horsepower engine, can be seen parked along the shoreline ready to give visitors a ferry ride up to the island barangay of Pugaro. A one-hour ride costs P100.
He said he is looking forward to the reported plan of Mayor Fernandez to provide motorized bancas to fishermen like him ferry tourists.
Mang Aroy said income from ferrying visitors on weekends and holidays are profitable but the opportunity is lost whenever big waves begin to appear.
He said he is required to make his passengers wear life vests, failing that, his accreditation will be withdrawn if caught.
Like his other fellow fishermen, he expects to see bigger crowds and earn more with the expected closure of the famous Boracay Island.
Mang Aroy said he is happy when he sees Tondaligan Beach becoming a hub for family outings.
“Thanks to the initiatives of Mayor Belen, my passengers are happy with what they see happening here, including the chance to be given a ride through the beach water. (Eva Visperas)
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