San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has launched its P500 million “Handog Tulong Pinansyal Para sa Mangingisda” program, benefiting 5,000 fisherfolk families from Rosario, Tanza, Naic and Ternate in Cavite.
The initiative, launched by SMC’s San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI), is part of the group’s commitment to managing its social and environmental impacts, following strict performance standards set by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for its New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project.
Under the program, eligible fisherfolk will receive a monthly financial assistance of P5,000 until the company’s operation in the area is completed by 2024.
This initiative comes after the company’s recent program to provide monthly food supply assistance to over 8,000 families across all four towns to help them cope with rising food prices.
SMAI has tapped experts to help implement programs that will minimize the impacts on the environment, including site rehabilitation and restoration, and further embed sustainability solutions to operations in the area.
The company continues to provide livelihood programs for fisherfolk organizations as part of its Social Development Management Program (SDMP), such as garment production and soap-making, scholarships for children of fisherfolk, and construction-based training in cooperation with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority.
SMC president Ramon S. Ang said: “We are well aware of the effects of the ongoing operations of our contractor, Boskalis, in the San Nicolas Shoal, that’s why we are taking all necessary measures to mitigate these. We’re committed to helping fisherfolk families in the area, and we’re very transparent about the project with them. We thank them for their valuable contribution in helping get this priority national project done.”
“As we do in all areas where we have operations, we work to establish a good working relationship or partnership with our host communities. For this particular project, we have local teams and offices in the area, as well as a well-established grievance mechanism. We assure them they can come straight to us if they have any concerns at all, ” he added.
Ang said the company is also tapping a third-party organization that will partner with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to study how to improve fishing yields from the shoal.
