The local government unit (LGU) of Tineg in Abra was granted one unit outboard motorised wooden banca while the Bangbangcag Bucay Farmers’ Association of Bucay in Abra was given one unit chest freezer.
The Barangay Fish Terminal (BFT) was also rolled over to the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Barangay Duldulao, Malibcong, Abra which was given 120 kilograms of fresh marketable fish; RIC Poblacion, Tui, Daguioman, Abra with 158 kilograms; and RIC Lamao, Bucloc, Abra with 160 kilograms.
The BFT is a BFAR programme that aims to add income for community organisations, with the initial supply will be provided by BFAR and the second will be continued by the organisation.
BFAR-Cordillera OIC-Assistant Regional Director Lois June Fermin said that there is a need to strengthen the coordination between the LGUs, private sector, and non-governmental organizations to push the program in the attainment of the goals of the fish-based projects in Cordillera.
“It is hard to design projects without the assistance of the LGU down to the grassroots. It is with their participation that our projects come into reality,” said Fermin.
Meanwhile, Jocelyn Alma Badiola, Executive Director on Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernisation, said that training is an important ingredient to inspire fishermen and farmers locally and nationally.
Badiola said that training is an important component of enriching the fishermen’s ability to earn twice his previous salary as survey shows that small-scale fishermen are earning less in fish production.
“This is to improve the wage and profit of the small-scale fishermen and farmers through acquisition of possible ways in improving their farm productivity and income,” Badiola said.
