𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔, 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 (𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 27) — Aimed to improve the ecological health of Cabulig River, three fisherfolk associations created a federated group through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10’s (BFAR-10) Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) program this town, yesterday.

The Cabulig Head Pond Federated Fisherfolk Association (CaHePoFFA), comprised of members from the Gumpot Fisherfolk Association of Balingasag, the Plaridel Agri-Fishery Association of Claveria, and the San Nicolas Fisherfolks Cabulig River Association of Jasaan, was formed to take charge of the river’s preservation and enhancement.

 

 

 

Some 30 members of the federated association attended BASIL’s capacity building on its program goals, strategies, and implementation, followed by the election and oath-taking of its officers as part of the program’s second component.

In a collaborative effort, staff from the BFAR-10 oriented the association on the BASIL program, fishery laws related to inland waters, integration of gender and development (GAD), fisheries production monitoring and evaluation, and participatory activity planning to determine the scope of work and manpower requirements (number of man-days) for the habitat restoration/construction.

Association vice president-elect, Edgardo Uayan, thanked the bureau for entrusting and helping their group solidify a sense of responsibility for Cabulig River’s resources. “Ang akoa lang nga magtinabangay lang ta [association members] aron mulambo ug mapahapsay nato ang atong pangisda kay mao man g’yud kini ang gi-tugyan ka nato para sa kalamboan sa tulo ka-lungsod,” Uayan encouraged. [Let’s all help each other to progress and secure our catch because this is what the government granted us to help our three municipalities prosper.] BASIL program regional focal, Mary Rose Bagongon, and Provincial Fisheries Office of Misamis Oriental (PFO MisOr) district fishery technician (DFT), Villaflora Rosos, facilitated the association’s transition for well-organized conduct of the program’s third component which will roll out the river’s habitat restoration.

With this, Bagongon requested the active participation of the association’s members since the third component is one of the most essential series of activities that needs to be critically complied with by the beneficiaries.

“Sugod pa lang ni sa mas dako ug mas nindot pa nga mga gustong ipalambo sa BASIL para kaninyo [beneficiaries]. Busa sugdan na nato sa pagtuman sa mga balaodnon, kanunayng pagpanlimpyo ug pag-atiman sa atung suba ug sa palibot niini kay kita ra gihapon ang makapahimulos ani puhon,” the regional shared.

[This is just the beginning of BASIL’s bigger development plans for you. That is why we should already start by obeying the fishery laws, and by always striving for a clean and healthy river because ultimately we will be the ones who will be taking advantage of this soon.]

Meanwhile, through a consultative meeting, the CaHePoFFA members agreed that every last Friday of the month, the association will implement its clearing, cleaning, and beautification of BASIL area.

The BASIL program will compensate for this initiative in a “cash-for-work” scheme that will commence from July to December this year. Its payment aims to help the association gain a foothold for financial start-ups. (𝗖𝗟𝗩𝗶𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲//𝗕𝗙𝗔𝗥-𝟭𝟬)