San Remigio fisherfolk race donated bancas

Motorized bancas donated by different companies line up along the shoreline of San Remigio town, northern Cebu. These wooden boats were used in a boat race held in line with the celebration of the town’s annual fiesta celebration in honor of San Isidro Labrador. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Around 120 donated motorized bancas  in barangay Poblacion, San Remigio town, northern Cebu were used in a boat race last Friday.

The race was held in line with the celebration of the town’s annual fiesta in honor of its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.

Emerging winners in the four batches of the motor banca race were Romel Piamonte of barangay Punta, Lopeto Crisostomo of barangay Mano, Rene Boy Tumulak of barangay Poblacion and Estilito Etal of barangay Busugon. Winners received assorted prizes, including fishing equipment.

The motorized bancas and other non-motorized bancas  were donated by different companies who responded to the advocacy of the Tugunon family of Clayton and Georgina, who are from San Remigio town.

The Tugunons saw the needs of the fisherfolk who were deprived of their livelihood after their wooden boats, also known as bancas, were damaged when supertyphoon Yolanda passed through the town in November of last year.

They initiated and started the advocacy to help the typhoon-affected fisherfolk get back on their feet.

Around 20 companies responded to their call and with their help, they were able to produce almost 200 bancas.

San Miguel Corporation,  which donated around 20 bancas , was represented by Information Officer Girlie Garces last Friday during the  boat race organized by the Tugunons.

Evangeline Hayco, owner of the Port Restaurant, also donated 13 boats. She was also present together with a service crew and several of her restaurant’s chefs to prepare some food for the fiesta.