ESTANCIA, ILOILO — The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Estancia distributed quality fishing gear to 149 registered fisherfolk on Saturday, June 15, 2026, at the Municipal Hall grounds.

The annual livelihood program, led by Mayor Ma. Angelica Bianca Requinto‑Espinosa, provided:

1. Durable gill nets to 49 registered boat owners

2. Complete hook‑and‑line sets to 100 registered fisherfolk, including hooks, monofilament nylon lines, and sinkers

"Our fisherfolk are the heart and backbone of Estancia — the 'Alaska of the Philippines'," Mayor Espinosa said. "This annual program is our promise: to provide legal, sustainable, and reliable equipment so they can increase their catch, earn better income, and put food on their family’s table."

The mayor added that the initiative promotes "responsible fishing that protects our seas for today and for the next generation," calling it "bianCARE in action."

Why This Matters

Estancia supplies 60% of Iloilo’s marine products and is known as the "Alaska of the Philippines" for its rich fishing grounds. The MAO program ensures only registered, qualified fisherfolk receive assistance to promote fair access and marine conservation.

Program Details

- What: Distribution of gill nets and hook-and-line sets

- When: June 15, 2026 

- Where: Municipal Hall, Estancia, Iloilo

- Beneficiaries: 149 total — 49 boat owners, 100 fisherfolk

- Organizer: MAO Estancia under Mayor Bianca Requinto-Espinosa

Estancia Times was on-site during the distribution. 

By Mark Moraless

Estancia Times Documentary is an independent news initiative based in Estancia, Iloilo. Email: estanciatimesdocu@gmail.com