Six (6) identified coastal barangays in Pilar namely Dao, San Antonio Sapa, San Rafael, Inapugan, Dapdap and Bantayan received smoked fish house “Tinapahan” after it was handed over by the provincial government thru the Provincial Agriculture Office on May 17, 2022, 9:00 AM at the Municipal Nursery, Marifosque, Pilar, Sorsogon.

The Smoke Fish House is an intervention of Sorsogon province headed by Gov. Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero wherein Pilar, being a coastal town was chosen as one of the recipients of the intervention program.

The smoked fish house is made of steel bars, galvanized sheet, and complete accessories, and has a volume of 37 cubic feet, a height of 60 inches, a length of 27.5 inches, and a width of 39 inches. Also included are a stainless strainer (20"x7"), a cooking pan (Kawa-22 cm), and a smoked wooden tray (Kaping-90 cmx110 cm). This can produce 15 kilos of smoked fish or “tinapa” in one hour.

Hon. Mayor Carolyn “Sweet” C. Sy-Reyes extended her heartfelt appreciation to Gov. Chiz for giving Pilar the opportunity to have this kind of intervention that will help the Pilareño fishermen.

“Dakulaon pong inisyatibo ini kan probinsiya and dakulaon ining katabangan satuya digdi sa Pilar,” she stated. [This is a significant initiative of the province that will benefit us Pilareños greatly]

She also asked for the assistance of the barangay officials for the sustainability of the equipment.

“Hagad ko po ang tabang kan barangay officials na kita po sa barangay, kita po magtabang sa satuyang konstituentes na mapangalagaan buda gamiton ini ta iyo ini ang purpose, ang matawan kita ki alternative livelihood and at the same time dai masayang ang resources na igwa ang Pilar,” Mayor Sweet added. [I would like to request the assistance of the barangay officials. We will assist our constituents in preserving and utilizing the smoke houses in order to provide us with an alternative source of income while ensuring that our resources are not wasted.]

The beneficiaries on the other hand, extended their genuine gratitude to the provincial government and LGU Pilar thru the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) headed by Ms. Marites Rebellon, OIC.

“Sobra sobra ang pasasalamat mi po sa itinao samo na smoke house para magkaigwa ki alternatibong kabuhayan ang mga taga Sapa lalo na dakol ang law-law. Dahil po digdi dai na masasayang ang mga sira kapag over supply pag season kaini,” Ms. Maria Lourdes Jacobo, Barangay Kagawad of Sapa asserted. [We are grateful for having a smoke house in our barangay which will aid in providing an alternative source of income to the residents of Sapa. As a result, the fish will not be wasted whenever there is an oversupply, particularly when the season arrives.]

Besides, Punong Barangay of Bantayan Hon. Salvador M. Aparicio expressed, “Napakadakulang biyaya ini na tinao ninda samuya na makatabang sa samuyang barangay.” [This is a blessing for us that will benefit our barangay.]

Furthermore, the OMAg pledged to deliver the smoke houses to the six barangays. It will conduct monitoring to ensure that the smoke fish houses are properly cared of and preserved.