DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan (PIA) — A total of 70 fishermen were trained by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on the latest fishing technologies as well as informed them on the government’s services and policy programs regarding the fishing industry.
The training was held during BFAR’s 61st Fishery Industry Forum for Stakeholders in Eastern Pangasinan. The activity was held recently at the Ramon J. Guico Jr. Sports and Civic Center in Binalonan town, with the theme “Masaganang Pangisdaan Tungo sa Maunlad na Ekonomiya.”
BFAR-1 Regional Director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan said the forum not only aims to enhance the livelihood of fisherfolks but also provides a venue where all stakeholders in the fisheries sector can meet and get to know one another.
Moreover, the fisherfolk were encouraged to ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of policies aimed at modernizing and improving the fishing industry.
Gaerlan stated stakeholders such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Agriculture (DA), among others, are involved in the fishery industry.
“TESDA offers training programs for the fishing industry; CDA supports fisheries cooperatives; DOST introduces modern technologies; DTI assists in trading aspects; and DA oversees agricultural and fisheries development,” said Gaerlan.
The interactive session covered a wide range of topics for community-based hatcheries and nursery production of tilapia, production technology for freshwater shrimp, common violations in freshwater areas, loan programs for the fishery industry, insurance programs for the fisheries sector, and farm registration, among others.
Julie Quaresma, a 61-year-old farmer and fishpond owner from San Felipe Sur in Binalonan town, expressed that the event she attended was a good platform for local farmers and fishpond owners as it provides information and networking opportunities.
Also, Quaresma is one of the 11 families who received tilapia fingerlings from BFAR to boost their livelihood.
“Farmers kami, pero sa tabi ng bukid namin ay mayroon kaming fishpond; doon namin kinukuha ang inuulam namin. Nagha-harvest kami ng isda gaya ng tilapia, at itong nakuha namin mula sa BFAR ay pararamihin pa namin para may maiulam at mapagkakakitaan,” she said in an interview.
(We are farmers, but besides our farm, we have a fishpond; that is where we get our dishes. We harvest fish like Tilapia, and we will further breed the ones we got from BFAR to have more food and a source of income.)
Meanwhile, Gaerlan is encouraging the public to show their support for the fishing industry, emphasizing its importance in ensuring food security and driving the economy forward.
She also assured the public that various programs aimed at assisting the fisheries sector continue to be implemented to inform fishermen about the assistance and benefits they can receive from the government. (JCR/MJTAB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
