Fisherfolk 'director' bats for strong fisheries mgt council
Fisherfolk Mr. Alfredo Tacaisan of the province of Guimaras, who served as fisherfolk Director at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 6 (BFAR) for more or less a month, said that his sector is batting for strong and effective Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC).
Mr. Tacaisan and those like him all over the country, served as BFAR "regional head" under the agency's program that allowed fisherfolk leaders to act as "heads" of national and regional offices of BFAR.
BFAR 6 Information Officer-designate Roberto Espinosa said those who served were among the most articulate and knowledgeable on issues and concerns regarding the sector on fisheries and aquatic resources.
Mr. Tacaisan underwent briefings and exposures on the different programs and projects of the BFAR as he assumed the role of BFAR director, in the implementation and dissemination of key programs of the agency, that are "non-policy determining."
Mr. Espinosa said the strengthening of the Fisheries and Management Council is a special feature of Republic Act8550 or the Fisheries Code, which seeks to enable the fisherfolk organizations to be capable and competent in technical skills and productivity.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap signed DA Special Order No. 88, which allowed a selected group of fisherfolk leaders chosen by their respective constituents to supervise over the national and regional offices of BFAR from May 1-31, 2007.
Secretary Yap said the program was meant to dramatize the empowerment of the fisheries sector and deepen its stakeholders’ understanding of government programs and policies beneficial to their industry.
(PIA 6/ESS)