Baguio City. Empowered fisherfolk leaders and the provincial fishery officers in the Cordillera region moved beyond discussion into action as they engaged in a strategic benchmarking activity on crayfish production and Modified Intensive Tilapia Hatchery (MITH) system alongside the recently held two-day Consultation Workshop on the Guidelines of Technology Demonstration and Fisherfolk Leaders’ Meeting.
“Our goal is to strengthen the fisheries sector in the region by showcasing fish farms to our fisherfolk leaders and promoting a strong network of connections among them. I truly appreciate the sustained efforts and collaboration of everyone involved in making this initiative possible,” Regional Director Lois June B. Fermin said in her welcome remarks.
Organized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-CAR) through its Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD), the two-day activity underscored the evolving role of fisherfolk leaders as frontline drivers of innovation, equipping them with practical, field-tested approaches while aligning grassroots insights with program policies to accelerate sustainable and community-driven aquaculture development.
First day dealt with an onsite learning at the La Trinidad Regional Fish Farm in Benguet, wherein Mr. Marx Perfecto C. Garcia, RFTFCD Chief, spearheaded the benchmarking activity. Mr. Garcia let the fisherfolk leaders gain insights from first-hand experts of the MITH-i: UP ISDA known as Modified Intensive Tilapia Hatchery-improved: Upland Production Initiatives for Sustainable Development in Aquaculture.
“This artificial incubation system, adopted by BFAR-LTRFF, helps scale up fry production and boosts the economic efficiency of fish farming operations, especially in areas where environmental conditions meet the biological requirements of Nile Tilapia,” Mr. Garcia explained.
Mr. Eden Bimmotag, Ifugao Alternate Fisherfolk Representative, inquired about the projected production and income from the artificial incubation system. “With the existing four AI units, each loaded with 500 ml of eggs, we are producing around 390,150 fingerlings per month, which translates to an estimated monthly gross income of PHP97,537.50,” Mr. Garia further explained.
After which, the group went to San Vicente barangay in Baguio City to visit an existing crayfish production facility owned and operated by Mr. Michael Novicio. The bureau, along with staff from the Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Office, while showcasing the production site of this invasive crustaceans species, reminded the operator to comply with the regulatory requirements in the culture of said species.
It can be recalled that the Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is a high-risk invasive species if introduced in natural bodies of water, and its culture shall only be allowed in controlled environments as a safety measure and thus requires regulatory compliance through the BFAR Administrative Circular No, 001 series of 2025 which provides the general guidelines for its culture.
According to Dr. Michelle A. Peralta, Chief of Fisheries Production Support and Services Division (FPSSD), the guideline was already effective last November 2025 and reminded that existing farmers engaged in the culture of this crayfish shall be given a maximum period of three years from its effectivity to comply with all applicable requirements. During this period, they shall be permitted to continue operations, provided that they have an ongoing application for certification under BFAR, and commit to a compliance plan. The discussion prompted several clarifications on crayfish culture, trading, and selling among the fisherfolk leaders; however, the Bureau firmly emphasized that these activities are subject to existing prohibitions and corresponding penalties under RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654 which aims to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
On the other hand, the second day dealt with the discussions on the guidelines of technology demonstration, fisherfolk leaders meeting, and election of fisherfolk directors for the national and regional level. Before the election proper, Mr Jerome Baay, former regional fisherfolk director and concurrent member-representative of Fisherfolk and Fishworker Sector for Luzon-NFARMC, presented the Fisheries Office Order No. 201, series of 2024, which outlines the amended guidelines for selecting National and Regional Fisherfolk Directors under the DA-BFAR Mangingisdang Direktor Program. Mr. Baay emphasized that only the Provincial Fisherfolk Representatives present during the hybrid meeting are eligible to vote, and that they are not allowed to vote for themselves.
Mr Ronelle C. Polon was elected as the National Fisherfolk Director nominee of the Cordillera, and Ms Jolenda Lomas-e was elected as the Cordillera’s Fisherfolk Director 2026 in light of the upcoming nationwide celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month this May.**RDeVera/BFAR-CAR
