MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday helped rescue 25 crewmembers of a vehicle carrier vessel that caught fire near Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG official said they sent men to the area after receiving report from the owner of the distressed vessel, local firm K-Line Shipping. Records from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources show there are about 7,000 fishing vessels, about half of which are small fishing boats. As for the small fishermen, Vargas said the Agriculture Department and Cooperative Development Authority can source funds from their regular appropriations. “Since boats consume fuel, the TRAIN law has a provision which allows the national government to create new safety net programs,” Vargas added.

Source: Philippine Star June 17, 2019 16:03 UTC