Libertad, Misamis Oriental – On July 7, 2025, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, recently turned over fishing paraphernalia worth P250,000 to the Samahan ng Mananagat sa Snowland (SMS) during the celebration of the municipality’s 62nd Araw ng Libertad, also known as the “Barungoy Festival.”

During the activity, Vianney Anthony A. Gapuz, the alternate Chief of the BFAR-10 Fisheries Production and Support Services Division (FPSSD), together with Libertad Municipal Mayor Hon. Allan M. Sofocado, led the ceremonial turnover of the certificate to SMS Vice President Albert M. Dela Cruz.

The members of the association received 15 units of 16-horsepower marine engines and 15 sets of squid jiggers, aimed to enhance their livelihood through efficient and sustainable fishing gear.

In an interview, Dela Cruz expressed gratitude for the interventions they  received, emphasizing that these are essential for their capture fishing activities—particularly in catching giant squid, which are abundant in the coastal waters of Libertad and have strong export demand.

“Ang among mga daan nga makina nangaguba na, mao nga ang uban namong miyembro napugos og standby kay wala nay magamit. Mao nang dako gyud among pasalamat sa programa [BFAR-SAAD] nga naabot na kining mga makina aron makapanagat na pud mi og balik ug makatabang sa among adlaw-adlaw nga panginahanglan sa pamilya,” he said.

(Our old engines were already non operational, that’s why some of our members were forced to stop fishing because they had nothing to use. We are very thankful for the [BFAR-SAAD] program—now that these engines have finally arrived, we can go on to fishing and support our families’ subsistence.)

Dela Cruz also voiced his hope that the agency would continue supporting artisanal fishers like them and that more fishing communities would benefit from the program to enhance their livelihoods and improve their quality of life.

Meanwhile, in his message, Gapuz urged the beneficiaries to unite and make the most of the assistance they have received to realize the SAAD Program’s goal of building community-based enterprises.

“We hope that this intervention will not only support your daily fishing activities but also strengthen your association as you strive to create sustainable, community-driven livelihood enterprises,” he said.

Gapuz further stressed that the provision of these fishing paraphernalia formed part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance local fisheries production and strengthen food security in coastal communities throughout Region 10.