Jennifer B. Quintilla

SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental (June 5) – In line with the celebration of this year’s Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month (FFM), and to better understand the daily lives, challenges and aspirations of our fisherfolk, BFAR-10 headed by Regional Director Edward Yasay engaged in a two-day coastal community immersion in Barangay Cagay-anon, Sinacaban on May 26-27, this year.

The on-site exposure began with a community dialogue and welcome meeting with the Cagay-anon SAAD Fisherfolk Organization (CASAFO), a key beneficiary of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2. In the gathering were RD Yasay, Provincial Fishery Officer of Misamis Occidental Virginia Valde and her staff, and CASAFO fisherfolk, led by its president, Antonio Caylan.

“Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa BFAR-10, ilabina kay RD Edward Yasay, sa makanunayong suporta alang sa kalambuan sa atong mananagat dinhi sa Cagay-anon. Dako sad among kalipay nga nakabisita gyud dinhi sa among lugar,” Caylan shared as he expressed his appreciation for the agency’s continued support.

(“We are very grateful to BFAR-10, especially to RD Edward Yasay, for the continuous support toward the development of our fisherfolk here in Cagay-anon. We are also very happy that he personally visits our community.”)

One of the highlights of the immersion was RD Yasay’s active, hands-on participation in harvesting bolinao (anchovies), a well-known fish species in the community, with the local fisherfolk. His involvement gave him deeper insight into the daily struggles of the fisherfolk and perceived their needs and necessary interventions.

During the activity, he observed firsthand the dwindling fish stocks, validating the community’s concerns about declining fisheries resources. His personal observations and situational comparison leading to his conclusion stemmed from his actual recent experience versus that of what he observed when he was a Project Leader for anchovies assessment dated 22 years back in the same area.

“Malipayon ug mapasalamaton ko nga nakabalik ko dinhi sa Cagay-anon human sa 22 ka tuig, ug nga nakapuyo gihapon sa samang host family nga mainitong nidawat nako kaniadto. Way back 22 years ago, ang BFAR-10 nagconduct og study dinhi sa Sinacaban bahin sa bolinao. Sa usa ka tuig nakong sige’g balik-balik sa lugar, daghan gyud kaayo ang kuha matag adlawan. Apan karon, pagkahuman nako nga nakig-uban sa mga mananagat sa ilang pagpangisda, mas nakita nako ang ilang kasinatian ug kalisod. Klaro kaayo nga 22 ka tuig human niadtong pagtuon, nagkagamay na gyud ang bolinao. Kini nga kasinatian nagpamatood nga kinahanglan gyud nato paspasan ang atong paningkamot sa pagprotektar sa kadagatan ug sa pagpasiugda sa malungtarong pangisda,” he said.

(“I am truly grateful and happy to be back here in Cagay-anon after 22 years, and even more so to be staying again with the same host family who warmly welcomed me back then. Way back 22 years ago, BFAR-10 conducted a study here in Sinacaban regarding bolinao. During that year, I frequently visited the area, and during that period, daily catches were substantial. But now, after personally joining the local fisherfolk in their fishing activities, I gain a clearer perspective on the situation faced by our fisherfolk. It is evident that 22 years after the study, the bolinao has significantly declined. This experience proves how urgent it is for us to intensify our efforts in protecting marine resources and promoting sustainable fishing.” RD Yasay states.)

The BFAR-10 Director’s immersion in the fishing community of Cagay-anon not only added personal significance to his return after 22 years but also provided BFAR-10 with a clearer understanding of the current realities faced by the fisherfolk. This experience reinforced the agency’s mission and served as a powerful reminder of its responsibility to continue collaborating, supporting and assisting coastal communities.

As part of the immersion, RD Yasay also made a courtesy visit to the Municipal Agriculture Office in Sinacaban. During the meeting he discussed the observation in the field with MAO Merlie Dominguez together with her staff, and some BFAR personnel, particularly the evident decline in fishery resources. The dialogue centered on identifying practical, collaborative solutions to address these pressing concerns and strengthen local fisheries management.

RD Yasay attends the 1st Provincial Fisherfolk Federated Association Meeting

On the second day of the immersion, RD Yasay attended the 1st Provincial Fisherfolk Federated Association Meeting held at the Provincial Fisheries Office in Misamis Occidental, Aguada, Ozamiz City. The meeting was attended by officers and members of the Misamis Occidental Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (MOFFA).

MOFFA Chairman Gregorio Palioto presided over the meeting and warmly welcomed RD Yasay, expressing gratitude for his presence.

“Mapasalamaton kami nga nagkahiusa ta niining miting, ilabina nga ania gayod ang atong Regional Director. Kini na ang atong higayon nga mapaabot ang atong matag concern sa management,” says Palioto.

(“We are thankful that we are gathered together in this meeting, especially with the presence of our Regional Director. This is our chance to directly raise our concerns to the management,” says Palioto. )

In response, RD Yasay reaffirmed BFAR-10’s strong commitment to supporting the fisherfolk in the province. He encouraged the fisherfolk to openly share the issues and concerns they encounter in their daily work to help shape responsive programs and policies.