BACOLOD CITY — Sipalay City in Negros Occidental province was among the top three awardees in the Search for Outstanding Coastal Community of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas.
Dubbed “Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan”, the competition forms part of the ongoing 54th Fish Conservation Week celebration at the loilo Fish Port Complex in Iloilo City.
Sipalay, which placed third and was the only awardee from Negros Occidental, will receive PHP500,000-worth of fishery projects from BFAR-Western Visayas.
Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said Thursday that having a clean, vibrant and well managed coastal community pays.
It results in abundant fish catch for the fisherfolk which means more income, he said.
“It can also be a good tourism attraction, which again results in more livelihood for the community,” Masculino said, urging other coastal localities in the province to replicate the good practices of Sipalay in terms of protection and management of fishery resources.
Nueva Valencia town in Guimaras and Anilao town in Iloilo bagged the first and second places, respectively.
BFAR-Western Visayas Director Remia Aparri, in a press statement, said the competition aims to promote fisheries protection and conservation centered on the significance of sustainable fisheries and aquatic resources management.
Aparri urged other coastal cities and towns in the region to participate in the annual search and advocate the five measures mandated by the BFAR.
These are the efforts of local government units to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; observe closed fishing season; establish marine protected areas; maintain clean coastal waters; and effective mangrove rehabilitation program. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
