Bangued, ABRA. Following the approval of fund allocation to rebuild the facility, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources now turn over the newly constructed Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC) worth PhP3.7 million pesos to the Calaba Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (CFFA). This includes postharvest equipment such as upright freezers, chilling tanks, fish tubs, weighing scales, and other supplies that will be utilized in their operations.
“We are fortunate to rebuild the facility in 2023 after our BFAR Central Office approved our proposal amounting to P3.7M for its reconstruction to resume its full operation at the same time will stand the test of time”, Regional Director Lilibeth L. Signey said.
To note, this turnover ceremony is not a brand-new activity. The CFLC was established in 2018 and was used for economic events like fish landings and auctions, as well as providing a space for information sharing, community organizing, and skill development. But after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the area in 2022, the CFLC collapsed and was no longer safe for human habitation negatively affecting the fisherfolk.
As conveyed, Bangued Mayor Mila A. Valera encourages the fisherfolk beneficiaries to lobby for any project request that will help them seek more support from the government.
BFAR recorded a total of 9,236.1 MT unloaded shipments from 2018-2023 and 33.5 MT landed catch. For January 2024, an average volume of 73.8 MT was recorded for the unloaded fish and other fishery aquatic products through shipments.
“We are grateful for the initiative to rebuild the CFLC facility here as it already marked as a venue for our fish farmers to carry out their fishery activities since it was operated in 2018”, Governor Dominic B. Valera added.
The CFLC stages crucial maneuvers for all inspection, clearance, and inventory of incoming fish and fishery products in compliance with the EO No.11 series 2018 issued by the Municipality of Bangued as all shipments of fish and fishery products pass through the facility. This means that the CFLC served as a trading hub for all fishery products in Bangued and nearby municipalities that handle fishery products from various sources while ensuring consumer safety and quality, regulated by BFAR and LGU inspectors.
Chief of the BFAR-CO Fisheries Postharvest and Technology Division, Imelda R. Calixto expressed that the establishment of the CFLC across the regions was a dream come true for the fisherfolk who have nowhere to land their catch.
Moreover, Marina B. Blaza, President of the Calaba Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, expressed that the reconstructed CFLC in the area will highly contribute to the development of the fisheries sector in the province of Abra. “With the association initiative, we will do our best to keep this facility secure, not only for us but together with the nearby communities”, Marina added.
With this, the bureau acknowledges the symbolic significance of the CFLC facility in Abra province as a result of the successful collaborative efforts of BFAR, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, the Local Government Unit, fisherfolks, and partner agencies, sharing the same vision toward poverty alleviation in the fisheries sector through the Targeted Action to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation (TARGET).
Also present during the unveiling, blessing, and turnover ceremony were Abra Governor Dominic Valera, Bangued Mayor Mila Valera, staff of the Provincial and Municipal Local Government Unit, a representative of the Philippine Statistics Authority, Provincial Fisherfolk Representative Jerome Baay, and Father David Mark P. Taberner who officiated the blessing of the facility. **RFDeVera
