After a month-long celebration honoring the contributions of farmers and fisherfolk, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga concluded its Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month 2025 celebration on May 30, 2025, at the Regional Fisheries Training Center in Butuan City.
The event brought together DA-BFAR Caraga officials, fisherfolk leaders, and partner agencies. It highlighted both achievements and ongoing challenges in the region’s fisheries sector, with stakeholders gathering to celebrate successes and strengthen commitments toward inclusive and sustainable development.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆
In her message, DA-BFAR Caraga regional director Omnia B. Olama emphasized the true essence of the celebration – recognizing the dedication and hard work of farmers and fisherfolk ensuring that food reaches every Filipino household.
“Today marks not just the end of a month-long celebration, but a meaningful reminder to honor the lifeblood of our nation — those who plant, who fish, who rise before dawn, sail before sunrise, and work tirelessly so that every Filipino has food on their table,” Director Olama said.
RD Olama further underscored that fisherfolk are not only beneficiaries of government programs but also key partners in driving sustainable development in the fisheries sector.
“As I always say, our fisherfolk are not just beneficiaries of our programs. They are our partners in progress, the guardians of our seas, and the unsung heroes of food security,” she added.
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱
Regional fisherfolk director (RFD) Mahalie B. Robantes shared experiences from his immersion visits across Caraga’s five provinces—Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands. Robantes assessed fisheries projects, spoke directly with fisherfolk, and raised concerns about challenges such as inland fishing poverty, aquaculture support needs, and insufficient technical personnel in remote areas.
In Loreto, Agusan del Sur, RFD Robantes was surprised to learn that the mountainous municipality registered over 1,800 fisherfolk, most of whom rely on the Agusan River and surrounding marshlands to fish. “They are among the poorest of the poor,” he observed, highlighting the urgent need for fisheries interventions like fishponds and backhoes for pond excavation to support aquaculture efforts.
Robantes also pointed out the underutilization of fish cages in mariculture parks, recommending the temporary stocking of other species, such as danggit or siganid, to address ongoing fingerling supply issues. In Dinagat, the call for more fish wardens was emphasized.
The regional fisherfolk director also shared updates on successful interventions such as seaweed farming in Surigao del Sur, where over ₱3.2 million worth of equipment has been distributed.
𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗺
Responding to the concerns raised by RFD Robantes, RD Olama shared that proposals for pond excavation and aquaculture equipment are already underway, with plans for each region to receive at least one backhoe by 2026.
The good regional director noted that tenurial negotiations, hatchery improvements, and seaweed farming support are ongoing, with 100 seaweed farming units already distributed in Surigao del Norte and additional 20 are allocated for the municipality of Tagana-an.
RD Olama stressed DA-BFAR’s firm stance against illegal fishing and encouraged stronger collaboration with Local Government Units (LGUs) in enforcing fishery laws within municipal waters. She emphasized that while DA-BFAR remains a strong support system, effective enforcement is most sustainable when led locally.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
As part of the celebration, DA-BFAR Caraga also awarded plaques and certificates of appreciation to partner agencies and individuals who rendered services during the Fisherfolk Wellness Day held on May 27, 2025. Among the recognized agencies were the Provincial Government Office of Agusan del Norte, the Provincial Health Office of Agusan del Norte, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region XIII, and the Bureau of Fire Protection Libertad Substation.
Anna Melissa M. Talavera, chief of the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division and regional coordinator of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, expressed gratitude to the many agencies that supported Fisherfolk Wellness Day.
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