FishCoRe livelihood projects boost incomes, resilience of Agusan Norte sardine fishers
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Ninety-six sardine fishers from three fishing associations in Agusan del Norte are set to benefit from more sustainable livelihood opportunities after the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) turned over more than P12 million worth of milkfish culture cages under the project on Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe).
The livelihood assistance, distributed from June 30 to July 2 in Buenavista, Magallanes, and Cabadbaran City, is part of the Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment (MARLIN) 2.1 Livelihood Subprojects, supporting the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda of strengthening food security, increasing fisheries productivity, protecting marine resources, and improving the lives of small-scale fisherfolk through sustainable and climate-resilient livelihood programs.
The initiative also advances President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize the agriculture and fisheries sector by expanding livelihood opportunities, increasing local food production, and enhancing the resilience of coastal communities against economic and environmental challenges.
The project equips fisherfolk associations with complete milkfish cage-culture production inputs, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages, fingerlings, feeds, nets, drums, and caretaker’s huts. The package awarded to the Cabadbaran City association also covers production inputs for the first and second culture cycles, to ensure continuous operations.
DA-BFAR Caraga Director Omnia B. Olama said the intervention is designed not only to improve incomes but also to help fishing communities prepare for the proposed closed fishing season in Butuan Bay and to promote responsible fisheries management.
“This intervention is more than a livelihood project. It is our way of helping fisherfolk become economically resilient while supporting sustainable fisheries management. We encourage beneficiaries to work together, manage these projects well, and continue protecting our fisheries resources by avoiding illegal fishing,” Olama said.
FishCoRe alternate focal person Loida B. Arreglado described the turnover as a milestone for the beneficiaries, saying the livelihood packages symbolize hope, opportunity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of fishing communities through sustainable aquaculture enterprises.
The first project worth P3.55 million was awarded to the Calanggaman Tanke Fisherfolk Association (CATAFIA) in Buenavista, benefiting 35 fisherfolk. Another P3.55-million package was turned over to the Barangay Caloc-an Small-scale Commercial Fisherfolks Cluster 1 in Magallanes for 29 beneficiaries, and the Cabadbaran City Deputized Fish Wardens Association received a P4.93-million package for a larger 15-meter HDPE fish cage project benefiting 32 fisherfolk.
For the beneficiaries, the assistance marks the realization of years of preparation.
“This is the day we have been waiting for. Our proposal has finally borne fruit. We will take good care of this project so it will benefit our members for years to come,” said Junalito Gabotero, chairperson of CATAFIA.
Rizalinda L. Abing, MARLIN lead focal person assured the associations of DA-BFAR’s continued technical assistance and acknowledged the support of local government units in helping fisherfolk prepare proposals that qualified them for the livelihood projects.
Through FishCoRe, DA-BFAR continues to advance ecosystem-based fisheries management by promoting livelihood diversification that balances marine resource conservation with economic development. The initiative supports the national government’s goal of building a more resilient fisheries sector, ensuring stable incomes for fisherfolk while contributing to the country’s food security and inclusive rural development under the Bagong Pilipinas vision. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from BFAR Caraga)
