33 alternatives to provide for the needs of their families. 231 Because of this, some of them were unable to benefit from the programs of that particular sector and the Social Amelioration Program given at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.232 Credit and financing services are also available according to the participants; however, there are so many requirements that very few of them can avail. In fact, the fisherfolk were asked to provide a feasibility study, but they argued that fisherfolk are not capacitated to prepare one.233 A participant also shared that the small loans program in their LGU was temporarily halted because of poor returns. The loan program in municipal agricultural office was also stopped due to a problem with the partner cooperative, which acts as the conduit of the fund. It was shared that the said cooperative was having problems collecting premium payments from previous loaners. 234 A participant shared that his community had a good experience with the seaweed farming program of DA-BFAR. The government gave them ropes, straws, buoys, 100 kilos of raw seaweed, as well as seaweed seedlings.235 Seaweed farming was a huge boost to their livelihood, and he was able to send his kids to school with the income realized.236 Regarding aquaculture programs, although it does help backyard growers, the government is primarily focused on giving fingerlings, which benefits those who already have the facilities to grow them (i.e fishponds, fish cages). They recommended that the government institutionalize providing artisanal fisherfolk with fish cages or startup capital.237 The consultations also revealed that very few participants have access to the government's social service programs. Only one had Social Security System (SSS) membership for the Luzon participants, but he had already discontinued payment.238 Another participant shared that his spouse has already been paying the minimum contribution to SSS for around 6-7 years, and is also paying premium contributions to PhilHealth.239 None of the Visayas participants had either SSS nor PhilHealth. 240 The Mindanao participants shared about the limited access to social insurance services; even fish wardens do not have mandatory SSS or PhilHealth.241 If the LGU or the local NGO in the area is very active, they could facilitate access to calamity funds and crop insurance. 242 One participant in Mindanao shared that he has availed of the SUREAid program from the DA. Participants from Luzon and Visayas both shared that they have availed of the calamity insurance bundle from the DA-BFAR and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. 243 The free insurance protects their boats, fish pens, and other fishing and aquaculture implements, provided that they are registered in BFAR’s fisherfolk database and the RSBA.244 231 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 232 Ibid. 233 Ibid. 234 Ibid. 235 Ibid. 236 Ibid. 237 Ibid. 238 Ibid. 239 Ibid. 240 Ibid. 241 Ibid. 242 Ibid. 243 Ibid. 244 Ibid.