BFAR Turns Over P2.5-Fish Landing Facilities

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) turned over some P2.5 million worth of community fish landing center (CFLC) to the stakeholders of the Municipality of Maria.

The CFLC is a two-storey post-harvest facility complete with freezers and dryers.

BFAR Regional Director Allan L. Poquita said that the establishment of fisheries post-harvest infrastructure and facilities, particularly CFLCs is part of the ongoing collaboration among BFAR, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) and the local government units (LGUs) and other partner government agencies in line with the fisheries poverty reduction framework featured on the BFAR’s Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation (TARGET) Program.

It aims to provide better post-harvest handling and processing system and faster access to markets to reduce post harvest losses and increase income, said Poquita. Likewise, it can be a venue for fisher folks to share knowledge and information to improve the quality of their products, he added.

He also said that the center can provide access to vital services to ensure clean, safe, and legitimate fishing practices including post harvest handling and processing technologies, registration, licensing, weather and disaster, among others.

Representative of the lone district of Siquijor, Congressman Ramon Vicente Antonio Rocamora also claimed that the facility  is of great help to the fishermen of Maria, being the beneficiaries of the project.

He assured that his office is willing to render needed additional assistance as he urged the recipients to take advantage of the different programs of the government to uplift the quality of lives of the people.

He stressed that the success of the program depends largely on the attitude and response of the beneficiaries and asked the support of the municipal officials in the monitoring and sustainability of the project.

Maria Municipal Mayor Meynard Asok thanked the agencies behind the project which he said have turned the dream into reality.

“The municipal budget alone is not enough to establish these facilities,” he said as he pleaded the beneficiaries to take care, make full use and sustain the project. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from IAAbatayo/SAID)