By PR | 09:30 PM September 29, 2023
The municipal government of Calape in Bohol has committed P3 million as its counterpart to the programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).
The commitment was made during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement held on Friday, Sept. 29, at the BFAR National Mariculture Center (NMC) satellite office in Calape.
Gov. Aris Aumentado and Calape Mayor Julius Caesar Herrera welcomed lawyer Demosthenes Escoto, BFAR national director who graced the event at the Calape fish landing port at the Pangangan road, barangay San Isidro. Â
Also present during the occasion were Dr. Allan Poquita, BFAR 7 regional director and Dr. Jericardo Mondragon, BFAR NMC chief.
According to Jeric Piloton of BFAR NMC, the satellite office established in partnership with the local government of Calape open opportunities to uplift the socio-economic status of the fishermen in the said community.
As a result of this, fishermen and stakeholders will gain access to the projects and programs offered including technology and financial assistance from the BFAR NMC.
A collaborative effort of the BFAR NMC, BFAR central and region 7 in partnership with the provincial and municipal governments, the project aims to provide opportunities for decent livelihood for fishermen this part of the province.
It includes fish processing, acclimatization facility, red tilapia production and fish cages for mariculture to allow the tilapia to adapt to the environment and rapidly reproduce.
Aumentado revelaed that the collaborative efforts are part of the long-term goal to increase productivity and bring down fish prices.
He expressed his appreciation to BFAR for its programs that are being implemented in Bohol.
