
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture
provides livelihood assistance to 263 registered Capiceño fisherfolk to help them rebuild and
sustain their operations following recent storms affecting the fishing communities.
The 263 fisherfolk composed of municipal fishers, milkfish operators, and shellfish farmers
received various assistance from the Bureau to continue its commitment to supporting the fishing
community in Capiz.
A total of 42 shellfish farmers from Ivisan town each received materials to construct one
shellfish raft, including 15 bamboo rafts, four high-density polyethylene (HDP) plastic drums,
five kilograms of nylon, seven rolls of plastic binder and one roll of polyethylene (PE) rope.
According to the BFAR 6, with the inputs given to the beneficiaries, after eight months, an
approximate harvest of 4.2 metric tons will be collected.
Additionally, 131 milkfish operators from the towns of Pontevedra, Ivisan, Sapian, President
Roxas, and Pilar received valuable assistance to boost their production.
Each beneficiary was provided 5,000 milkfish fingerlings, 54 bags of feed, a set of pond
preparation inputs, and materials for fish cage frames.
Diony Batican, a 74-year-old beneficiary from Pontevedra town, expressed heartfelt appreciation
for the project, particularly the milkfish feed which has become increasingly costly.
Pontevedra town mayor Henry Tumlos expressed his gratitude for the assistance from BFAR, as
he also highlighted the importance of properly utilizing the feeds provided by the Bureau to
ensure successful production outcomes.
The mayor also noted that the effective use of resources will aid in the recovery and
sustainability of the beneficiary’s operation.
Further, BFAR Capiz information officer Lorelyn Ofalla said that after distributing the materials
to the beneficiaries, they are looking forward to improving the fishing industry in the province.
“We are hoping that after they acquire the materials, they will be able to sustain their production
to further improve their livelihood and the fishing industry in the province,” Ofalla said.
(AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)