The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) expects to register an additional 20,000 fisherfolk in its database, OIC Regional Director Roberto Abrera said.
Abrera mentioned that there are already around 90,000 fisherfolk registered, but more still need to do so. He stated that they are encouraging fisherfolk to register so they can receive better services from BFAR.
“Pag-registered fisherfolk ka, maraming incentive na pwede ibigay ang ating pamahalaan. Pwede ma-insured mismo ang fisherfolk then ang kanyang bangka o seaweed farm o aquaculture project pwede ma-insured sa Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. Pwede ka ring maka-avail ng loan na walang interest sa Agriculture Credit Policy Council,” he explained.
He also said they are encouraging fisherfolk communities to organize into associations or cooperatives for faster delivery of services.
“Kasi ang serbisyo ng gobyerno hindi paisa-isa. Mas maganda kung grupo. Parehas nabanggit natin, nakapagbigay tayo ng 62-footer na bangka para magamit ng ating mangingisda sa West Philippine Sea,” he said.
He further explained that he aims to give a specific definition to the term fisherfolk, which he said is a “very generic term,” to better deliver specific services to the fisherfolk community.
He also mentioned that once the fisherfolk have organized themselves into a cooperative, it will be easier for BFAR, along with other concerned government agencies, to deliver services through a whole-of-government approach.
“At tingnan natin na ang agriculture at fisheries ay professional field na,” Abrera added.
Abrera also reiterated his proposal of having a fisheries professional officer in the local government units.
He said that with more than 90,000 registered fisherfolk, if there is only one technician for every 1,000 fisherfolk, it will be hard to deliver the necessary technology to all of them.
“So sana ma-consider yan ng ating local chief executives,” he said.
Moreover, he encouraged the youth to take up fisheries courses and develop a private practice in the field of agribusiness or entrepreneurship.
