By Sarwell Meniano/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is upbeat on the establishment of common service facility for value-adding of fishery products as this will minimize illegal fishing and overfishing in Samar province.
BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said the recently completed PHP1.2-million post-harvest equipment in Catbalogan City, Samar’s capital, will increase the income of fishermen, hence, reducing their dependence on aquatic resources to survive.
“Through this facility, our low-income fishermen will earn more from producing value-added products. They will also undergo financial literacy trainings for them to wisely manage their income,” Albaladejo said in a phone interview Tuesday.
The new facility turned over by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Jan. 5, houses five units of upright freezers, a collapsible solar dryer, and a blast freezer. The facility will be managed by Asosasyon han mga Paragbulad ha Catbalogan (dried fish producers of Catbalogan).
“The post-harvest equipment is in support of the Secretary’s vision on establishing a champion town for dried fish products with modernized fish drying and packaging facility in the province of Samar,” Albaladejo added.
The BFAR regional chief urged the group to venture in bangus (milkfish) fish cage farming to ladder up their source of income. The Agricultural Credit Policy Council also committed to provide loans for the acquisition of fish cages, feeds and fingerlings to start their new business.
The government pushed for alternative livelihood activities for Catbalogan City’s fishermen noting that many of them have been engaged in illegal fishing methods.
