MACABALAN, Cagayan de Oro City (Sept. 12) – The Matangad Fishermen’s Cooperative (MaFCo), composed of 21 members, is now in full swing with its newly adopted livelihood project following the successful turnover of the Bangus (milkfish) culture-in-cage project on August 19 under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 10 (BFAR-10).

Moving from traditional fishing to a fish farming livelihood, MaFCo President Mr. Paul John C. Caballa shared his optimism about the project’s potential for success.

“Nasayod gyud ko nga kining proyektoha makahatag og dakong kauswagan para kanamo. Kompyansa kami nga pinaagi sa hustong training ug kining bag-ong teknolohiya, makasiguro kami og mas maayong panginabuhian alang sa among mga pamilya ug sa tibuok komunidad,” he said.
[I am certain that this project will bring significant progress for us. We are confident that with proper training and this new technology, we can secure a better livelihood for our families and the entire community.]

This year’s SAAD livelihood intervention provided a significant boost to the cooperative’s undertaking with a package valued at over Php1.1 million, which includes a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cage, 10,000 bangus fingerlings, and a complete set of commercial fish feed good for one cropping cycle.

This initiative, a key part of the BFAR-10 SAAD Program Phase 2, aims to empower small-scale fisherfolk and improve their livelihoods by diversifying income sources through sustainable, modern fish farming practices. The project not only boosts food security in the community but also provides a stable alternative to traditional fishing, which is vulnerable to seasonal changes and overfishing.

During the turnover ceremony, BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward B. Yasay underscored the importance of such programs. 

“This project represents a new chapter for the MaFCo, and we sincerely hope that this initiative will genuinely help our beneficiaries secure a better life for their families and their community,” he said. 

Dir. Yasay also highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting rural communities, underlining that a unified, whole-of-government approach is crucial for achieving our shared vision of sustainable progress. He stressed that by working collaboratively, government agencies and local government units (LGUs) can leverage their collective strengths to ensure these projects succeed and provide more impactful and genuine support to our fisherfolk.

The cooperative’s transition from traditional capture fishing to modern Milkfish farming has been a journey of adapting to new methods and technologies. Members have undergone training provided by BFAR-SAAD technical staff, which included proper feeding techniques, water quality management, and harvesting protocols, enabling them to shift from being passive catchers to active managers of a profitable enterprise.

Since the start of the SAAD Program Phase 2 in 2023, MaFCo has steadily received comprehensive support. This included two Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) or Payao, two 25-foot motorized fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats with marine engines and complete underwater fittings, along with other fishing paraphernalia, all valued at Php 463,252.

In 2024, the group was granted another support package worth Php 608,996, consisting of two additional 25-foot motorized FRP boats with marine engines, complete underwater fittings, fishing paraphernalia, and post-harvest materials.

This year, the cooperative received the aforementioned project, and in the same year, the group, which was previously an association, has now become a cooperative, a significant turning point in their journey toward strengthening their livelihood and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Looking ahead, BFAR-10 SAAD Program Phase 2 is optimistic that this project will generate a significant return, providing a stable source of income for the community and their families for years to come.