Islanders fund new fleet in the Philippines

Saturday 04 April 2015

A new fishing fleet is preparing to take to the water out in the Philippines that has a special connection to our local waters.

The 12 new boats, all named after a different Jersey parish and featuring the parish crests, are being given to local fishermen in Northern Cebu this weekend who lost their livelihoods in the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded.

Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of Southeast Asia back in early November 2013 killing at least 6,300 people in the Philippines and since then Clayton Tugonon, a Cebuano furniture maker, has built around 400 new boats to help fishermen get back out on the water, including this fleet sponsored by Jersey Side by Side.

He said: “It’s me and my wife’s little way of helping them, and whatever donations we get, we give back to those we see fit to take care of it and those who are in need.

“I will only stop when the last donor comes. You should hear their stories.”

The fishermen will be presented with their new boats on Easter Sunday along with nets and a small motor.

Jersey Side by Side Chairman Peter Allman said that thanks to Islanders’ donations fishermen will not only be able to provide food for their families and villages but also income to help re-build their communities.

Former Jersey police officer Bruce Liron who is now based in the Philippines has been involved in the project from the start and is looking forward to a colourful launch at sea next week.

Bruce Liron said: “Jersey should be very proud of this achievement - just amazing how it effects the lives instantly of Filipino families who lost everything - they can now fend for their families once again.”