Photo from Comenei Ali/BIO
COTABATO CITY—Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a report released on Feb. 16, 2023, that BARMM is still the highest fish producer in the country.
Based on the Fisheries Situation Report, in the last 2 years, BARMM produced a volume of 1.319 million MT, equivalent to 30.41% of the total volume of fisheries production for Fiscal Year 2022.
This was followed by the Zamboanga Peninsula with a 59.89% difference, the MIMAROPA region with 71%, and other regions with 72% and 74%, respectively, as the top-producing regions in the entire country.
BARMM maintained its status since 2021, recording a total fisheries production of 4.25 million metric tons. This grew to a total of 4.34 million metric tons for the year 2022.
MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob congratulated the Bangsamoro fisherfolk for their significant contribution to the region.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to our grateful fisherfolk, and we are more than compensated by this achievement of remaining the rank 1 in the country,” Yacob said.
“This manifested that the Ministry from the regional office down to the provincial and municipal level is committedly performing its mandate to fulfill every responsibility that rests on their respective shoulders so that our farmers, fisherfolk, and ARBOs can feel the services of this government,” the Minister added.
Yacob also assured to continue to sustain fisheries production in the region through different means of assistance, including the strengthening of technical staff in partnership with the government, and fisheries research institutes, among others.
The Ministry also recognized the collective support of the Local Government Unit of the Provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur along with the development partners and stakeholders that contributed to the fisherfolk through technology transfer and training.
“We are delighted with your unwavering support to boost the economic growth in the Bangsamoro region,” Yacob said. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO with reports from MAFAR)
