A VARIETY OF FISH. A variety of fish is displayed at Cotabato City’s wet market. For the past two years, BARMM has been the top fish producer in the Philippines. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—BARMM remained the Philippines’s top fish-producing region in the 2nd Quarter of 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Fisheries Situation Report released on August 15, 2023.
The Bangsamoro region recorded 31.4% or 340.33 metric tons (MT) of the country’s total fisheries production, making it the leading fish producer in the country.
Following BARMM were Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 6 (Western Visayas), and Region 4B (MIMAROPA), contributing 13.8%, 9.4%, 8.7%, and 7.0%, respectively.
“We see the significant contribution of the Ministry to this achievement by implementing various programs and projects that enhanced the productivity and sustainability of the fisheries resources across the region,” Pendatun Patarasa, BARMM’s director-general for fishery services, said.
Patarasa added that the Ministry is ensuring the quality and safety of fish and fishery products through its quarantine and inspection services, laboratory services, and post-harvest technology development.
“We are committed to continuing to deliver the services of this government to support the development of the fisheries sector and provide food security and livelihood opportunities for the fisherfolk in the region,” he added.
On behalf of MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob, the Director-General also expressed gratitude to the Ministry’s partners and stakeholders who played a crucial role in delivering relevant fisheries services, managing, conserving, and protecting fisheries resources.
“Most significantly, we dedicate this to the Bangsamoro Fishers who are engaged in responsible and sustainable fishing and aquaculture [and who deserve this recognition and noteworthiness] because the BARMM is not about its jobholder, it is about the Bangsamoro people,” Patarasa stressed.
BARMM has held the title of the leading fish producer region nationwide since 2021, with total fisheries production records of 4.25 million metric tons. In 2022, BARMM recorded 1.319 million metric tons, contributing 30.41% to the total national production.
Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive on March 29, the Bangsamoro Government, through MAFAR, is committed to increasing the growth of the country’s total fisheries production by 10 percent.
Improving the BARMM agri-fishery sector’s productivity is one of the Government of the Day’s enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda from 2023-2025. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
