60-M Fishery Facilities Inaugurated

Fabrica, Bula, Camarines Sur (30 Sept) - The Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center (RFFC) here of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 5 inaugurates new facilities composed of post harvest building, mini-feed mill, mini laboratory and training hall with dormitory on September 23, 2010.

These new facilities were funded by a grant from the Japanese government worth P60 million under RFFC's Continuing Capability Building for Integrated Development of Bicol Freshwater Fisheries Project. The Department of Agriculture - National Agricultural Fishery Council (DA-NAFC) was the facilitator of this project.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Japanese officials composed of Akio Isomata, Minister for Economic Affairs; Takehiko Sakata, First Secretary of Agriculture; Hirushi Kodama, JICA expert for DA; and Etsuko Taneda, JICA representative.

According to Minister Isomata, this inauguration symbolizes Japan's continuing efforts to provide renewed hopes and greater livelihood opportunities for the local Filipino fish-farmers.

Also gracing the affair were Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, Congressman Luis Villafuerte, Mayor Ben Decena, NAFC Deputy Executive Director Maria Luz Enriquez and BFAR Assistant Director Benjamin Tabios.

In his first official visit to Bikol, Secretary Alcala thanked the Japanese government for its continuing support to helping the Philippines increase the productivity and incomes of Filipino farmers and fishermen. He also introduced the "Agri-Pinoy" program of the Department in support to President Benigno Aquino III's battle cry to address food sufficiency.

Further, he said that DA-BFAR will establish more mariculture parks in appropriate coastal areas in Bikol, in partnership with host LGUs. They will jointly identify the poorest of the poor fishermen who will be prioritized to avail of the rent to own scheme to operate fish cages.

He added that DA-BFAR and LGUs will jointly enhance the production of capiz (Placuna Placenta), which is abundant in San Miguel Bay, as source of sustainable income for fishermen and their families. Capiz is famous for its translucent shell used in handicrafts and decorative products. Its meat is edible.

Meanwhile, the government of Japan and the DA-NAFC has been extending its assistance to RFFC for almost two decades and was instrumental in transforming the center in the forefront of freshwater aquaculture production and the leading training hub on the dissemination of aquaculture technologies. RFFC has institutionalized a one-day seminar every last Thursday of the month and provides free fingerlings for fishfarmers with ready fishponds.

With the addition of the new facilities, RFFC will be elevated from being a production-based center to a one-stop-shop of freshwater fisheries technologies, thus boosting the overall aquaculture system in the region. (rcanabe)