ORMOC CITY – Around PHP2.5-million worth of fisheries livelihood interventions for the fisherfolk of Naval, Biliran were turned over by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 8 in collaboration with the said municipality’s local government unit on October 15, 2025.
The initiative is a part of BFAR 8 and said municipality’s continued efforts to improve the standard of living for coastal communities.
One of the program beneficiaries was the Mabini, Libertad, and Sabang Fisherfolk Associations to support their future aquaventure in seaweed farming under the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program (EPSDP). The said association received 60 units of seaweed farm implements, 6,000 kilos of seaweed propagules, and three units of 22-foot Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats with complete accessories and FRP paddle boats.
Moreover, a total of 9 fisherfolk recipients each received a 22-foot FRP boat with a 16 horsepower (HP) marine engine under the “Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko” Program, wherein participants were trained to fabricate their own boats.
Meanwhile, for post-harvest support, around 20 fish vendors from the Naval Public Market were given insulated boxes/cooler boxes, and 100 pieces of vacuum sealing bags and one (1) tabletop vacuum packing machine with AVR to enhance product processing and quality of their value-added products.
In addition, a 30-foot FRP boat with complete accessories was turned over to the Bantay Dagat of said municipality to bolster its enforcement of fisheries laws.
BFAR 8 OIC-Regional Director Dominador G. Maputol urged the recipients to use the livelihood aid responsibly and with care in order to make sure that it improves their lives and helps manage the country’s fishery resources sustainably for future generations. By By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail OCTOBER 13-19, 2025 issue)
