AGUSAN DEL SUR, December 16, 2021 – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga Region through the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program awarded a village-type fish landing facility to Agusan del Sur fisherfolk to centralize trading activities.

A total of 108 fishers from 9 associations from barangays Nato and Piglawigan, Esperanza are members of the Nato Fish Cage Federation from Esperanza, the group granted with the common fish landing area worth Php 450,000.

BFAR-SAAD funded the establishment of the facility in FY 2021.

The facility, located in Barangay Nato, is adjacent to Dakong Napo Lake covering a 40 square meters floor area equipped with a waste water canal and septic tank.

Apart from the facility, the group was also awarded with four sorting tables, two weighing scales, and 8 oval-shaped fish crates worth Php 75,000.

In addition, the group was a recipient of SAAD’s FY 2019 Tilapia Culture in Cage Project worth Php 288,000. The intervention included feeds, tilapia fingerlings, and nets.

Chairperson Rebecca G. Catamco shared the project was “a promise fulfilled for a community who depends on the bounty of the lake.”

The facility will be operated by the federation with the support of the barangay which shouldered the construction of the facility’s toilet including water and electrical connections.

An ordinance has been passed to make the facility a common landing area and legalize the fees and sharing schemes between the group and the barangay.

The turnover was attended by BFAR Agusan del Sur Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Provincial Officer Bimbo C. Lagare, OIC Regional Planning Officer Ivy Antoniano, and Charlene Acavado of the Commission on Audit.

Representing LGU Esperanza was Sangguniang Bayan Member Hon. Joseph C. Aguilar – Committee Chair on Agriculture and officials from Barangay Nato.  ###

Writer: Bimbo C. Lagare, Agusan del Sur PFO OIC