Isabela City, Philippines — Some 322 fisherfolks from different villages from the eleven municipalities and 2 component cities last September 21 held in Basilan State College Amphitheater.
Local officials and municipal mayors headed by the President of the Provincial League of Municipal Mayors Hon. Hanie Bud also attended the summit.
The summit served as a” prelude for the province to push for a fishery-based economic development without endangering the ecology that provides habitat for various fish species and aquatic resources thereby ensuring food security and sustainable future.”
Governor Jim Salliman in his welcome message emphasized the need to establish a strong partnership with the stakeholders, market sector and the provincial government to improve the fishing industry in the province.
He further stated that the provincial government intervention be institutionalized like creating a fishery desk in all LGUs to regularly monitor the affairs in the fishing industry.
Guest Speaker Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona, in his speech stressed the need to build post harvest facilities “The national government will provide funds for the purpose in accordance to the needs of the fisherfolks and upon their proposals”.
Cold storage is among the identified need of the fisherfolks.
Gongona encouraged the fisherfolks to organize into cooperatives to have access to technology, financing and marketing support.
Attendees and local government officials were discourage to go on illegal forms of fishing but instead observe the 3 months fishing season and be vigilant against local and foreign poachers who are encroaching into the 15 km. radius municipal waters.
The activity was initiated by Basilan Governor Jim S. Hataman Salliman in partnership with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The event was participated by government line agencies such as DTI, TESDA,BFAR and DENR.
A raffle draw was held with 100 fiber glass fishing boat and fishing gears were given away to the lucky winners. -Pedrito Eisma/PIO-Basilan
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