JASAAN, Misamis Oriental (PIA) – About 100 fisherfolk composed of representatives from nine (9) municipal fisherfolk associations, two (2) commercial fishing groups, nine (9) coastal barangays, and the local government unit, actively took part in the third episode of FishCoRe Talakayan in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental on November 13, 2024.
The National Project Management Office (NPMO), with regional counterparts in Region 10 and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Misamis Oriental, introduced the Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project to fisheries stakeholders.
The activity focused on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), Fisheries Management Areas (FMA), and the core principles of the FishCoRe Project. Deputy Project Manager Jessica Muñoz attended and engaged directly with the fisherfolks.
Jasaan Municipal Mayor Redentor S. Jardin expressed gratitude for the projects in his town that would help fisherfolks’ livelihood.
“Jasaan, known for its rich marine resources, draws early-morning traders to its fish port in Barangay Kimaya. Jasaan consistently participates in BFAR activities, including national projects like the Fisherfolk Registration System (FFRS) and initiatives at Kimaya Fishport. Constructed between 2010 and 2013 during Mrs. Grace Jardin’s term as mayor, the P10-million port, overseen by the Filipino Fishers Authority under the Department of Agriculture, highlights Jasaan’s prominence. Its deep waters provide an ideal docking area for fishermen’s boats, further boosting the town’s recognition and importance,” he shared.
Among key topics discussed during the Open Forum were the importance of active participation of the local government unit in support of effective project implementation in the locality, as well as the various livelihood interventions, including enterprise development that fisherfolk associations and cooperatives can avail through the seven-year Project.
Moreover, the FishCoRe Talakayan gave the Jasaan fisherfolks a platform to engage and express their concerns. Lower Jasaan Barangay Councilor Kreig Owen T. Macasero addressed issues regarding programs tailored to his residents.
“First, since our topic today is the sea, some fishermen want to set up fish cages. However, only Barangay Jampason, near the Agutayan area, has received approval in Jasaan. I’m glad Barangay Jampason got the green light. For other barangays like Lower Jasaan, we are finding ways to help our town. Can we form a cooperative, collaborate, or access available programs? We want to help, but we have limited knowledge, especially our fishermen who are used to traditional fishing methods. We ask government agencies for assistance and guidance on how you can help and teach us,” he said in dialect.
The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the World Bank, BFAR, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), and National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), is leading the second year of the FishCoRe Project. This initiative provides multiple fisheries interventions to benefit over 1.15 million fisherfolk, small to medium enterprises, and other fishery stakeholders in coastal communities across 11 regions and 24 provinces. (IJBD/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
