(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Wednesday, 27 September 2023

Bayabas town champs on nat'l coastal competition

BAYABAS, Surigao del Sur – A dream of yesterday and now turned a reality for  the local government unit of Bayabas, the smallest town  in the province of Surigao del Sur, as it was hailed as the National Grand Champion for the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) 2022, the Search for the Outstanding Coastal Community, a program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

As the impressive winner, LGU Bayabas received a check worth P30 million and a plaque during the 60th Fish Conservation Week Culmination Program held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City on September 22, 2023.

The LGU's initiatives on the implementation of solid waste management, comprehensive law enforcement on closed fishing seasons, and best practices among the fisherfolk and residents along coastal areas made them stood out from the rest of the contenders and paved the way for the ultimate victory. 

The town of Bayabas, existing among the 17 municipalities, and two cities in the province, faced with many challenges on illegal and unregulated fishing activities in the area. From 1990 to 2010, illegal fishing activities were observed probably because  most of the residents live and earn money from the aquatic resources that are abundant in the area were fishing. At that time, there was no fish sanctuary established in the area.

"Consistent reports on dynamite explosion were observed on broad day light ,and several fishermen were practicing illegal fishing activities were captured, recalled Vice Mayor Ma. Clarita Limbaro. Accordingly, the presence of these environmental  violations were due to lack of policies and strict regulation. Until such time, the municipality overcame and out solution to the problems through crafting of effective policies, and the observance of regulations to answer the issues and concerns of the environment particularly on illegal fishing and destruction of marine sanctuary.

"On May 12, 2010, Ordinance No. 4 was born, which kicked off the implementation of regulation on the establishment of the fish sanctuary in the municipality,"  as shared by Municipal Agriculturist Geralyn Guibao.

Among the practices of the LGU,  they are linked with non-government organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and alliances with different neighboring municipalities with the same goal and objective on the protection of coastal resources and community.

“We are lucky enough to be part of the SUMACOR or sustainable management on coastal resources through the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, (IFAD-BFAR),” Limbaro said.

Since then, Bayabas town started to put sanction on the base form of crafted policies, and laws on how to combat illegal fishing, and the creation of people’s organizations were, among the steps the local officials initiated and strategized. An awareness campaign was also conducted along the coastal communities that empowered the different sectors like women, youth, farmers, and fisherfolk.

Meanwhile, LGU-Bayabas was the Caraga regional winner and proudly received the reward prize of P2 million.

According to BFAR, rewards for these Search for the country’s outstanding coastal community will come in the forms of aquatic livelihood projects. (Nida Grace P. Barcena, PIA-Surigao del Sur)