KALINGA, July 9, 2021 – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) capacitated fisherfolk, farmers, and youth group beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program through a three-day training on entrepreneurial workshop and values restoration.

In BFAR-SAAD’s final year in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the bureau maximizes its efforts to hook beneficiaries with different initiatives ensuring the sustainability of their existing and thriving aquaculture and postharvest livelihood projects.

Participants were represented by 73 members from 9 SAAD farmers, fisherfolk, and youth associations in a workshop on financial, organizational development, and values restoration from July 6-8.

The associations are Rural Group for Transformation (28 members), Binongsay Malinawa Savings and Loan Cooperative (524 members), Challenger’s Agriculture Cooperative (167 members), St. William’s Farmers Credit Cooperative (78 members), Bantiyao Araneta Maconacon Gaday Tianytayen Farmers Multipurpose Association (26 members), and the Catao Pagbiagan Farmers Association (18 members).

Meanwhile, youth participants belong to the Kafachang 4H Club (20 members), and Burobor 4H Club (20 members).

The event, funded by the SAAD Program, was organized through the collaboration of BFAR’s Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO), the Provincial Cooperative Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO), Tabuk Local Government Unit (LGU), Mr. Brent Martinez (motivational speaker from GURU Press), and Pasil Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PAMCO) founder Engr. Victor Aglipay.

The workshop addresses issues affecting poor cooperative performance, micro-scale assessment of organizational issues, and introduces financial management for effective and efficient financial decisions.

PCEDO Kalinga Senior Cooperative Development Specialist Ms. Charlotte S. Balisang and PAMCO founder Engr. Victor A Aglipay shared their experiences in overcoming challenges to succeed. “Like us, just continue to create your own story to success,” shared Engr. Aglipay.

Values restoration and leadership were also taught, fitted to the youth. New ideas on leadership styles affect behavior among group members. Moreover, the training emphasizes the importance of upholding collective vision to keep everyone inspired, focused, and consistent in maintaining the organization.

Also present in the workshop are Regional Director Lilibeth L. Signey, Ms. Joyce M. Ducyogen from the Kalinga PFO, the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD) – OIC, Ms. Lois June B. Fermin, and BFAR-CAR SAAD Regional Focal, Ms. Michelle A. Peralta.

BFAR-SAAD served more than 10,000 individual beneficiaries and 45 fisherfolk organizations in the five-year implementation in CAR. Kalinga is the home of 2,970 beneficiaries.

The bureau granted aquaculture projects (tilapia culture in ponds, rice paddies, and fish cage), capture (fishing gears), and postharvest projects to CAR fisherfolk.

Moreover, BFAR continues to hold technical and educational assistance to the SAAD fisherfolk to maximize the livelihood grants and improve aquatic products in the province. ###

Writer:

Rodelyn Q. Foronda, BFAR-SAAD CAR Community Development Officer

Sources:

Sarah Jean Biyang, FIRO I

Michelle A. Peralta, BFAR-CAR SAAD Regional Focal