(L-R) MAFAR Director Macmod Mamamlangkap, Minister Mohammad Yacob, Mangudadatu Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Nasirin Napii, and
BARMM-National Anti-Poverty Commission Asst. Regional Focal Person Yusoph Sabpa during the turn-over of P3-M worth Community Fish Landing Center in Mangudadatu, Maguindanao on Monday, Sept. 20.
COTABATO CITY – In line with the celebration of the 58th National Fish Conservation Week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) handed over a P3-million worth Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC) to Mangudadatu Municipality in Maguindanao.
On Monday, Sept. 20, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Nasirin M. Napii, on behalf of the municipal local government unit, received the CFLC which aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of fishing communities with high poverty incidence.
This year’s celebration, which carries the theme: “Pangisdaan Likas-kaya, Bunga’y Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita”, underlines the importance of sustainable fisheries management and development in bringing about abundance for fisherfolks whose livelihood depends on the integrity of the ocean and its resources.
“The MAFAR Fishery Sector committed to implement its priority thrust such as resource protection, enhancement and production, post-harvest & marketing support and development, so that we could sustain our livelihood from ocean, seas, and inland bodies of water in the region”, Director Macmod D. Mamalangkap said.
An initial support of 20,000 Tilapia fingerlings, 54 gill nets, and 100 units of squid-jiggers, were also given by MAFAR to 74 fisherfolks from Maguindanao and Cotabato City who are members of cooperatives, and some members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF).
Minister Mohammad S. Yacob emphasized that, “being the caretaker of MAFAR, our commitment is always to help uplift and improve the lives of our million poor farmers and fisherfolks living scarcely in the costal areas and Liguwasan Marsh.”
“Through the conservation of fish by avoiding the act of illegal fishing and selling of fish with eggs, fisherfolks could eventually uplift their own lives as cycle of catch fish will be maintained and sustained”, Minister Yacob added.
MAFAR organized a series of activities for the week-long fish conservation celebration such as the coastal clean-up, Scuba Bangsamoro, coral nursery unit deployment, mangrove planting, fingerling dispersal, distribution of environmentally friendly fishing gears, and poster making contest. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
