Al Jun Magamano Iligan City — On August 19, 2025, the Provincial Fisheries Office in Lanao del Norte (PFO-LDN), in collaboration with the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) Fisheries Division in Iligan City, officially launched the Tilapia Satellite Hatchery of the Mahanaim Farmers Cooperative in Sitio Mahanaim, Rogongon, Iligan City. Led by Provincial Fishery Officer Jerose G. Acut and Fisheries Division Chief Ferly K. Anghag, the activity included the stocking of Get Excel tilapia breeders and a training session on hatchery operation and management. The hatchery is expected to produce at least 500,000 – 1 million tilapia fry and fingerlings annually, providing a reliable and affordable supply of seed stock to local fish farmers. “This project empowers our cooperative members and strengthens upland aquaculture development in Iligan City,” said PFO Acut. The initiative is also seen as a step toward reducing dependence on external hatcheries, cutting transport costs, and ensuring higher survival rates of fry. Jenner Coronado, Chairman of the Mahanaim Farmers Cooperative, expressed his gratitude saying, “Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa suporta nga among nadawat gikan sa PFO ug City Agriculturist’s Office. Kini nga hatchery maghatag ug dakong tabang sa among mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda diri sa Rogongon. Sa una, lisod ug mahal kaayo ang pagpangita ug fingerlings, karon adunay na kitay kaugalingong tinubdan.” (We are very grateful for the support we received from the PFO and the City Agriculturist’s Office. This hatchery will greatly help our farmers and fisherfolk here in Rogongon. Before, it was difficult and costly to find fingerlings, but now we have our own source.) The establishment of the Rogongon hatchery demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting rural cooperatives, improving food security, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for fisherfolk and farmers.

Villa Flora M. Rosos In response to a request from the local indigenous community in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office No. 10 (BFAR-10), through the Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) Misamis Oriental, conducted a specialized Training on Value-Added Tilapia on August 8, 2025, in Barangay Natubo, equipping participants with innovative processing skills to enhance income and livelihood opportunities. The highlight of the training was a hands-on product demonstration led by Dr. Noel M. Saldajeno, Chief of the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD), who guided participants in preparing three innovative tilapia-based products: Tilapiang Siomai (dumplings made of minced tilapia), Cheese Fish Lumpia (fish and cheese wrapped in a spring roll), and Longganisang Hubad (skinless Filipino-style sausage made out of fresh tilapia). These dishes were chosen for their wide market appeal, affordability, and ease of preparation, providing the community with practical skills to create market-ready products and increase income potential. A total of 20 participants of the Barangay Natubo Group of Indigenous People Association Inc., a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered organization composed of 137 members (48 male and 89 female), participated in the training. The group represents a vibrant sector of the local community with a strong interest in sustainable livelihood ventures tied to the region’s abundant fishery resources. During the activity, Dr. Saldajeno emphasized the importance of value-adding in fisheries. “Fresh fish is a staple in our markets, but when we process it into innovative food products, we open new opportunities for higher earnings and broader consumer reach,” he said. “This training is designed to empower communities to transform raw produce into something more competitive and profitable value – added products,” he added.  The Provincial Fisheries Office in Misamis Oriental underscored that the training aligns with the Bureau’s  continuing mission to increase economic benefits and improve livelihood especially the small-scale fisherfolk. By targeting indigenous and rural communities, the agency ensures that technical knowledge and livelihood skills reach those who can benefit most from them. The training encouraged participants to explore entrepreneurial opportunities using the skills they acquired. By leveraging local resources like tilapia, communities can develop micro-enterprises that support household income while contributing to the growth of the local economy. The training wrapped up with a product tasting session, allowing participants to sample the prepared dishes and ignite discussions on potential market opportunities. Many showed interest in launching small-scale production and selling within their barangay and nearby towns, demonstrating BFAR’s continued dedication to empowering fisherfolk and indigenous communities and transforming locally sourced fish into sustainable livelihoods.

Jennifer Quintilla JIMENEZ, Misamis Occidental — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), through the Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) Misamis Occidental, convened the 2nd semestral meeting of the Misamis Occidental Federated Fisherfolk Association (MOFFA) on August 26, 2025, at La Elena, Butuay, Jimenez, Misamis Occidental. Delegates from various municipal fisherfolk associations across the province actively participated in the meeting, discussing concerns on declining fish catch, post-harvest losses, coastal management, market access, and livelihood opportunities. PFO staff and focal person Jhonrey Barrientos, representing OIC-PFO Virginia Valde and BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward Yasay, underscored the value of sustained dialogue between fisherfolk leaders and BFAR. He noted that the meeting fostered stronger collaboration and ensured that grassroots issues and concerns  with the community are incorporated into provincial and regional programs. Adding provincial support, Judahlyn Saceda, representing the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, affirmed the Province’s commitment to work hand-in-hand with BFAR-10 and fisherfolk organizations. She also relayed the gratitude of Governor Henry Oaminal to BFAR for its interventions, particularly the “Banca Ko, Gawa Ko” project.  “Mapasalamaton kaayo ang atong Gobernador sa tabang sa BFAR labi na niadtong shearline incident. Dili lang banca ang nahatag, apan apil usab ang Php 10,000 nga start-up capital alang sa mga asawa sa atong mga mananagat. Gimonitor namo kini aron masiguro nga makahatag kini og dugang kita sa ilang pamilya,” Saceda said. MOFFA officers, on the other hand, shared that the federation is in the process of securing registration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental. They emphasized that official registration would solidify MOFFA’s legitimacy, granting it wider access to support, programs, and resources for its fisherfolk members. The meeting wrapped up with firm commitments to strengthen coordination, sustain consultations, and advance collaborative efforts for the growth and resilience of Misamis Occidental’s fisherfolk communities.

By MCenas/RDME PANAON, Misamis Occidental – Marking its third year of implementation under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2, the Panaon Fisherfolk Association (PAFA) has kicked off its livelihood project with the stocking of 11,000 milkfish (bangus) fingerlings in a 10×10 meter bamboo fish cage on August 28, 2025. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 10 (BFAR-10), through its Provincial Program Management Support Office (PPMSO) in Misamis Occidental, is supporting the initiative to strengthen the association’s milkfish culture enterprise, boost local fish production, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for its members. The project package includes quality fingerlings and a complete set of feeds (starter, grower, and finisher) for the entire culture period. To ensure sustainability and profitability, the association will also receive post-harvest materials to aid in processing and marketing activities. Prior to the stocking, PAFA members actively assisted in the packing and transport of the fingerlings from the Northern Mindanao Brackishwater Aquaculture Development Training Center (NMBADTC) in Pacita, Lala, Lanao del Norte. During the stocking activity, members worked collaboratively to carefully release the fingerlings into the cages, adhering to proper acclimatization procedures to minimize stress and mortality. PAFA Chairman Rey Galario expressed his gratitude for the project, saying, “The support we received from BFAR through the SAAD Program is truly a blessing. With unity and cooperation, we will strive to develop this project into a sustainable livelihood for our community.” As the project moves forward, PAFA together with BFAR-10 SAAD Program will continue to work together to ensure its success and to help build a more stable and food-secure community.

By MSBuntag/RDME CAMIGUIN – The Punta Catarman Community Fishing Association (PCCFA), together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources –  Region 10 (BFAR-10) of the Provincial Program Management Support Office in Camiguin, successfully hauled a total of 400 kilograms of assorted high-value fish species, marking a transformative breakthrough in their livelihood under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase II. The event held in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) and a small-scale commercial fishing vessel managed by Mr. Joebert L. Labadan from Catarman, highlighted the successful harvest from a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) or payao project under the SAAD Program in the town’s offshore waters. The structure attracted a significant concentration of pelagic fish, such as Tulingan (Auxis thazard, frigate tuna), Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), and a small member of Kutob or Matambaca (Selar crumenophthalmus, bigeye scad), resulting in a productive and sustainable catch.  After the catch was brought ashore and sorted, it was divided according to an agreed 1:2 ratio—132 kg (33.3%) proceed for the fisherfolk association, and 268 kg (66.7%) to the commercial partner. This arrangement is part of the bureau’s Big Brother-Small Brother (BBSB) scheme, which helps local fisherfolk earn income without owning or operating large vessels, supporting inclusive growth in the fisheries sector. This is under a fishery ordinance of the municipality. Members received their share of the freshly caught fish, enough to provide food for their respective families, while the remaining portions were sold locally, generating a total of Php 12,000. The group intends to deposit the earnings into a savings account and set aside funds for future livelihood activities. Meanwhile, Michael Angcog, treasurer of PCCFA, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the program, noting that it has renewed their hope for better fish harvests and given a meaningful boost to their livelihoods. “Dako akong pasalamat sa SAAD Program Phase II sa ilang padayon nga suporta. Kining proyekto nga Deep Sea Payao dako’g natabang sa among asosasyon, ilabi na sa among mga miyembro nga mangingisda aron mapalambo ang among panginabuhi ug masiguro ang malungtarong pagpanagat,” Angcog said. (I am deeply grateful to the SAAD Program Phase II for their continuous support. This [Deep Sea Payao] project has greatly helped our association, especially our fisherfolk members, in improving our livelihood and ensuring sustainable fishing practices.) Further, the Deep Sea Payao Project under SAAD program Phase 2 is designed to help small-scale fisherfolk access offshore fisheries sustainably, reduce pressure on coastal fishing grounds, and enhance economic returns through partnerships with the commercial fishing vessel operators.

By MCenas OZAMIS CITY, Misamis Occidental — To strengthen the capacity of fisherfolk organizations and empower them towards sustainable management of their livelihood projects, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10–Special Area for Agricultural Development (BFAR-10 SAAD) Program Phase 2, concluded the series of Leadership Development and Financial Management Trainings in seven identified municipalities of Misamis Occidental.  The training caravan started in the Municipality of  Don Victoriano and continued in the Municipalities of Bonifacio, Baliangao, Sinacaban, Sapang Dalaga, Concepcion, and Panaon, gathering fisherfolk associations under SAAD Program Phase 2 from across the Province. Throughout the sessions, the participants engaged in practical and interactive discussions led by Ding Gilmar Subsuban, District Fishery Technician Ⅰ (DFT), shared valuable insights on leadership development, while Ms. Shennie U. Galindo, Aquaculturist I, and Mr. Jhonrey C. Barrientos, Aquaculturist II, emphasized the importance of building strong organizations and identifying the key traits of responsible leaders and members.  Additionally, Mr. Gil C. Saren, SAAD Area Coordinator, highlighted the role of collective action in ensuring the long-term success of association-led projects, while Ms. Marilou Cenas, SAAD Report Officer, discussed the fundamentals of basic financial management—covering topics such as transparency, accountability, and proper record-keeping, which equip participants with essential tools to strengthen their associations’ financial systems and ensure the sustainability of their resources. The series of training sessions aimed not only to impart knowledge but also to cultivate confidence among fisherfolk leaders and members, preparing them to manage both  organizational and financial aspects of their livelihood enterprises under the SAAD Program Phase II. By the end of the sessions, participants expressed their appreciation, noting that the training inspired them to be more responsible leaders, active members, and forward-thinking stewards of their organizations. This initiative forms part of BFAR-10 SAAD’s continuing mission to build empowered and self-sustaining fisherfolk associations that can contribute to food security and economic growth in Misamis Occidental.