The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Negros Island Region (BFAR-NIR) turned over fishing boats and gear to members of the Buluangan Fisherfolk Vendors Association in San Carlos City recently.
The event, held at the Barangay Buluangan covered court, was part of BFAR’s gear swap program to support lawful and sustainable fishing practices.
At least five beneficiaries from the association received complete fiberglass fishing boats with rudders, shafts, propellers, and accessories.
The turnover was led by BFAR-NIR OIC director Rene Parreño, alongside councilors Arthur Batomalaque and Joseph Mark Antonio, CEMO-Coastal Resource Management Division head Winston Alvarez, and conservation fellow Melvin Maglayon.
Batomalaque said San Carlos City is among the first local government units to benefit from the program, which exchanges illegal fishing nets for compliant gear, and supports local fishing communities.
Antonio, on the other hand, stressed the importance of ecological balance, and urged residents to avoid illegal fishing practices that damage coral reefs and deplete marine resources.
Parreño said the gear swap program aims to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, and support non-compliant or unregulated fishers in transitioning to legal fishing methods while strengthening Fisheries Management Area 11, the city said in a press release.
He also thanked Mayor Renato Gustilo for the city’s support to the initiative.
Beneficiary Isidro Alolor said he is thankful for the assistance, noting that the project provided proper fishing equipment, encouraged sustainable practices, and allowed fisherfolk to continue their livelihood legally.
CENRO 1 Engr. Loreto Sanchez of the City Environment Management Office (CEMO) also turned over fish production functions to Engr. Jerome Endrina of the City Agriculture Office (CAO) as part of the city’s realignment of fisheries responsibilities.
He added that CEMO had managed fish production since 2013 due to personnel limitations in the agriculture office, but with the expanded manpower, the responsibility has been returned to the CAO while CEMO will focus on environmental conservation and protection. ||
