by Christine Lyn Viajante

In a traditional ethnic ceremony led by the Higaonon tribe, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10) turned over reinvigorating projects under the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) Program to the Cabulig Head Pond Federated Fisherfolk Association (CaHePoFFA) in Barangay Plaridel, Municipality of Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The turnover included a 10m x 10m brush park, 50,000 pieces of common carp fingerlings, and 100 pieces of common carp broodstock, all aimed at enhancing fish production in the Cabulig River.

The Raft Back Home

Before deploying the brush park and stocking fingerlings into the waters of the Cabulig River, the local Indigenous community performed a traditional ethnic ritual, offering prayers for the success of the project and the well-being of the environment.

The magbalantay sa katubigan, also known as “bulalakaw” of the area, custodians of the land and waters, blessed the project through their customs, seeking balance and harmony with nature.

Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative, Datu Aquilino S. Pimentel, expresses his gratitude for the bureau’s effort in reaching out to indigenous communities to bring about projects revitalizing nature.

“Palihug lang g’yud ko, unta, dili lang g’yud nato tiaw-tiawan ang suporta nga gihatag sa gobyerno sa atu-a. Atong sumbalikan ilang paghago ug paningkamutan nga mulambo kining mga proyekto,” Pimentel urged the community.
[I sincerely ask you (fisherfolk) to please, let’s be serious about the support that the government entrusted to us. Let’s return the favor of their labors and strive to make this project a success.]

Nourishing the Withered

The brush park, a simple yet effective fisheries enhancement structure, will serve as a habitat for 100 common carp broodstock and other aquatic organisms, improving the productivity of the river.

Combined with the release of 50,000 common carp fingerlings, the project is expected to significantly boost fish population in the Cabulig River, benefiting not only the fisherfolk association but also the residents relying on the said commodity for subsistence.

The CaHePoFFA, composed of small-scale fishers from the municipalities of Claveria, Balingasag, and Jasaan, showed optimism about the future of their fishery resources.

Federation President, Waldine S. Bito-on remarked, “Gahatag g’yud ni’g paglaum sa amoa. Sa tabang sa BFAR ug sa BASIL, naa na g’yud mi paabuton nga mga gasa puhon.”
[This turnover gives us hope. With the help of BFAR and the BASIL, we can now look forward to increased fish production.]

Familial Ground

As committed, the BASIL program will compensate the association with its clearing, cleaning, and beautification initiative in a “cash-for-work” incentive scheme that will end by December this year.

Provincial Fishery Officer of Misamis Oriental, Arlene B. Novo, highlighted the importance of sustainable practices in inland fisheries.

She noted that through a tailor-fitted program, BFAR-10 remains committed to working with local communities to preserve the health of rivers, lakes, and other freshwater bodies.

“Tumong sa BFAR ang makahatag sa mga panginahanglanon ninyo lakip ang pag-edukar sa malangturong binuhatan aron masiguro ang mabolokon nga balanse sa kinaiyahan ug pangisdaan,” Novo elaborated.
[Our goal is not just to provide resources but to educate fisherfolk on sustainable practices that will ensure long-term productivity and ecological balance.]

A private electric power company also offered to add security and surveillance equipment in the area to ensure that the project is well protected as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The BASIL program, a nationwide initiative of the bureau, seeks to restore the vitality of inland bodies of water like rivers and lakes, boosting the livelihoods of fisherfolk dependent on freshwater stocks. (CLViajante//BFAR-10)