BUTUAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Caraga (BFAR 13) and the non-profit organization, Rare Philippines, have entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the expanded Fish Power Program in Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands in Surigao del Norte.
In a statement sent to Philippine News Agency Thursday, BFAR-13 said Wednesday’s MOA will ensure the continuing partnership between the agency and the Rare Philippines for another three years in the area.
Rare is a global non-profit organization devoted to environmental protection with works that span 60 countries, including the Philippines.
The MOA was signed between BFAR-13 Director, Dr. Nilo Selim Katada, and Rare Philippines Vice President Roquelito Mancao.
“The purpose of the agreement is to enter into a mutually beneficial partnership between the two parties, leverage each other’s strengths and resources to help coastal and fisherfolk communities and their municipal governments in the Siargao Island,” BFAR-13 stated.
In particular, it said the partnership will specifically focus on areas under the Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS).
Under the MOA, the parties agreed to work together to implement and sustain effective coastal resource management programs, especially in areas considered sustainable for fisheries.
Rare’s Fish Forever program is a global approach focused on optimizing fisheries resource management in pursuit of conservation and social purposes, which would eventually contribute to the security of fishing communities’ livelihoods.
The two institutions had already entered into a three-year partnership agreement last May 2019 that also covered the SIPLAS areas in nine towns on Siargao Island.
In the new agreement, Rare Philippines will provide support to the programs and projects of BFAR-13, particularly in the promotion of sustainable fisheries management, coastal resource management, and climate change adaptation.
Rare Philippines will also provide technical training and capacity building for the personnel of BFAR-13 on key capacity areas, particularly on sustainable fisheries and coastal resource management, and climate change adaptation in fisheries. (PNA)
SOURCE: https://www.pna.gov.ph/
