THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bohol spearheaded activities on May 19, 2023, in celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month of May.
According to Provincial Fishery Officer Bruna Abrenica, this is the first time that contests are held as part of a monthlong series of activities in recognition of the role of farmers and fisherfolk in ensuring food sufficiency.
Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAO), Fishery Technicians (FTs), and participating fisherfolk attended the program that featured contests on net mending, poster making, cooking, quiz bee, and Indigay sa Balak.
Executive Assistant on Agriculture Nunila Pinat expressed the support of the Provincial Government for farmers and fisherfolk through strengthened strengthen coastal resource protection and coastal law enforcement as she delivered remarks on behalf of Governor Aris Aumentado.
Pinat, whose first work was in BFAR, also challenged MAOs, FTs and fisherfolk organizations to take the advocacy on environmental conservation and sustainability seriously. She stressed how altering ecosystems via human activity also affects natural resources, which are a source of subsistence.
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Fishery Division Head Mary Queen Atup and Marine Aquaculture Section head Rhesa Guttierez joined Pinat along with Central Visayas Multi-Species Nursery Demonstration and Training Center chief Mario Ruinata, BFAR region 7 Post Harvest Office Galicana Toston, and Provincial Fisheries Officers of Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
The Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month of May is declared a celebration through Presidential Proclamation No. 33 issued on May 21, 1989, with this year’s theme “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya”. (PIMO/LMS)
