Bicol Fisherfolk Boost Income through Aquaculture Initiatives

BICOL REGION — Fisherfolk associations across the Bicol Region have collectively earned PHP112,290 this month from engaging in aquaculture livelihood projects, as facilitated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Bicol (BFAR-5) under its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program.

According to Philippines news Agency, the spokesperson for BFAR-Bicol, the SAAD program is designed to alleviate poverty and enhance the living standards of fisherfolk and their communities by offering support and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The initiative is part of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) efforts to provide comprehensive support to fisherfolk, enabling them to harvest the benefits of their work and generate additional income. Briones highlighted the success of various fisherfolk associations in the region, which harvested their aquaculture products on different days as a result of their participation in the SAAD program.

Among the beneficiaries, the Poblacion Unified Fisherfolk Association (PUFA) in Castilla, Sorsogon, produced “tinapa” (smoked fish), processing 46 kilograms of big-eyed scads (“matambaka”) and 20 kilograms of red-tail scads (“galunggong”). Similarly, the Sta. Magdalena Fisherfolk Association (SMFA) in Sorsogon harvested 76 kilograms of “bangus” (milkfish), and the Carriedo Milabigan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (CAMIFFA) in Irosin town collected 286 kilograms of tilapia over two days.

In Catanduanes, the Progreso Fisherfolk Association reported a production of 25 kilograms of tilapia, while the Tigaon Inland Fisherfolk Association in Camarines Sur and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Tilapia Raisers in Camarines Norte harvested 151 kilograms and 83 kilograms of tilapia, respectively.

The SAAD program’s efforts in Bicol aim not only to bolster food security but also to stimulate economic growth within the targeted areas, further underscoring the critical role of aquaculture in the region’s development.