Thursday, August 8, 2013

BFAR to fast-track registration of fisherfolks

DAVAO CITY, July 08 (PIA):  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ) launched the National  Program for Municipal Fisherfolk Registration dubbed as Fish R last August 6 in this city.

The program  aims to fast-track the registration of fisherfolks in all coastal areas of  the country in support of  the Fisheries Code of 1998 implementation.

Regional Director Fatma Idris  of BFAR said  the Davao Fish R launching was  the third in  the series made by BFAR which had identified Region XI as one of the major fish production sites in the country with 43 inland and coastal municipalities and six cities.

BFAR  considers the waters of Davao Gulf,  Pujada Bay and the Pacific Ocean in the east coast  fronting Davao Oriental as “one of the rich homes  of numerous aquatic species” serving as abundant fishing grounds.

BFAR linked with local government units of  the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley  and the municipalities therein to complete the registration of fisherfolks by using simplified forms and by setting up the Comprehensive Fishery Information System.

Included in those whom BFAR referred to as fisherfolks are those directly drawing their source of income from, and making a living out of fishing. The fishworkers as well as the fishery operators are also considered as fisherfolks.

 “Ito ay tumutukoy sa lahat ng taong nakatuon sa panghuhuli, pag-aalaga, pagpoproseso, pagbebenta at pagbibiyahe ng  isda at iba pang produktong pantubi. (This refers to people who are into catching, producing, processing, selling and delivering fish and other aquatic and marine products.),”  BFAR said in describing fisherfolks.

Idris assured fisherfolks to avail of government assistances and services due them especially when they get duly  and officially registered.

To get registered, Idris urged fisherfolks to go to their Barangay Captains for assistance and to approach fishery technicians who are facilitating registry of fisherfolks.  The Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) is also open to assist fisherfolks registered under Fish R.

Meanwhile, she called on LGUs to complete the data on fisherfolk registration as the Department of Agriculture and BFAR will be giving reward to LGUs which can submit soonest their complete registry of fisherfolks.

BFAR revealed in a news release that Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala earlier announced  a reward of P2 million worth of livelihood projects for fisherfolk communities, given to  the first 100 municipal LGUs which would be able to complete their registration of fisherfolk. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

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