Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny F. Piñol awarded a total of P58 million-worth of fishery projects to the national winners of the 2018 Search for Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) during its awarding ceremony held at the Siquijor Provincial Capitol in Siquijor on July 19, 2019.
The local government units (LGUs) of Macrohon, Southern Leyte bagged the grand prize of P30 million-worth of fishery project; Alaminos, Pangasinan and Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte received P18-M and P10-M worth of fishery project as the first and second runners-up, respectively.
“This is a very important event for us, now on its third year,” the DA chief said.
To qualify, the following criteria must be met: no illegal fishing in the area; the community has to observe the closed-fishing season; there must be a marine protected area; coastal waters must be clean without any garbage; and there should be a mangrove protected area.
Aimed at recognizing outstanding initiatives and contributions of coastal communities/cities to the country’s sustainable fisheries development program, the MMK outstanding coastal community search was launched in 2016 by the DA through its Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Piñol explained that the program must be sustained, to inform the public that fisheries and agriculture are not only about producing food for today but also in ensuring food for the next generation.
“When we know this, we will be more careful in our effort in extracting food from the resources that we have,” Piñol said.
The Secretary congratulated Region 7 for a very exemplary performance in running illegal fishers in their area.
“I am happy to inform all of you that last year 2018, for the first time in so many years, the fisheries sector had reached a positive 1.0 percent growth,” he said.
Floating Solar Panel Farm Technology
During the event, Piñol showed a video of a floating solar panel farm explaining that this technology will solve a lot of problems especially in isolated fishing communities of the country.
He said that he met with the SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group representatives together with other DA officials to discuss the potentials of the technology, which uses renewable energy.
“This technology can produce electricity in remote villages for ice-making and cold storage facilities. As such, it would enable them to bring their catch to the market,” Piñol explained.
He added that the technology could serve as “payao” or fish attracting device to increase the catch.
“Mahal ang kuryente dito sa Siquijor, kaya naisip ko na magandang proyekto ito rito,” he said.
He shared that the DA will put up pilot floating solar technology project in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. He also committed one unit each to the MMK winners through Undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona.
Turnover of Agri-Fishery Livelihood Assistance
The DA chief together with Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona, Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa, and Congressman Jade Vincent Villa, awarded a total of 128 units of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) surveillance boats to six municipalites of Siquijor Province.
Each municipality received 20 units of 22-footer FRP boats with 20 units 6.5hp Marine Engine and Underwater Fittings, and one (1) unit of 30-footer FRP boat with one (1) unit 16hp Marine Engine and Underwater Fittings under the F/B Pagbabago project and the Special Areas for Agricultural Development (SAAD).
The boats were accepted by the Chief Executives of each town: Mayor Richard R. Quezon (Siquijor), Mayor Meynard Asok (Maria), Mayor Gerold Pal-ing (Enrique Villanueva); Mayor Dean Villa (Larena), Mayor Wilfredo Capundag (San Juan), and Mayor James Monte (Lazi).
The Libo Artisanal Fisherfolk Association (LAFA) also received a P1.89M worth of Lambaklad Project and two units of flat boats. The KASAMMANA or Kapunungan sa Mananagat ug Magbabaol sa Nagerong also received a P1.56M worth of Lambaklad Project. ### (Jo Ann Grace B. Pera, DA-AFID)
