Bicol inaugurates new fishery facilities
The Regional Freshwater Fisheries Centre (RFFC) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bicol in the Philippines has inaugurated new facilities composed of post harvest building, mini-feed mill, mini-laboratory and training hall with dormitory.
These new facilities were funded by a grant from the Japanese government worth P60 million (€992,500) under RFFC’s Continuing Capability Building for Integrated Development of Bicol Freshwater Fisheries Project.
The inauguration ceremony was graced amongst others by the Japanese Minister of Economic Affairs, Akio Isomata.
According to Minister Isomata, this inauguration symbolizes Japan’s continuing efforts to provide renewed hopes and greater livelihood opportunities for the local Filipino fish-farmers.
In his first official visit to Bicol, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala thanked the Japanese government for its continuing support to helping the Philippines increase the productivity and incomes of Filipino farmers and fishermen.
He also introduced the "Agri-Pinoy" program of the Department in support to President Benigno Aquino III’s battlecry to address food sufficiency.
Further, he said that DA-BFAR will establish more mariculture parks in appropriate coastal areas in Bicol, in partnership with host LGUs.
They will jointly identify the poorest of the poor fishermen who will be prioritized to avail of the rent to own scheme to operate fish cages.
With the addition of the new facilities, RFFC will be elevated from being a production-based centre to a one-stop-shop of freshwater fisheries technologies, thus boosting the overall aquaculture system in the region.
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