by Rollin Dave Elloren
MACABALAN, Cagayan de Oro City (Sept. 30) – Aligned with the bureauβs strategic direction to optimize post harvest productivity and ensure sustainable fisheries livelihood, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourcesβRegion 10 (BFAR-10) turned over a Solar Ice-Making Machine (SIMM) project worth P3.4 million each to two fisherfolk organizations in Misamis Oriental on September 26 and 27, 2024 respectively.
BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward B. Yasay officially handed over the certificate of turnover and the key of responsibility to the Small Bond Fisherfolk Association (SBOFA) in Opol and the Maria NiΓ±a Angelica Fishing Organization (MNAFO) in the municipality of Jasaan.
According to RD Yasay, the project is a pilot initiative by the bureau aimed at addressing the urgent need of fisherfolk to preserve the freshness of their catch.
Further, Yasay said that this project harnesses solar energy, a sustainable solution in the context of the increasing heat and climate change impacts, which have accelerated fish spoilage in recent decades.
βBy utilizing renewable solar energy, the SIMM helps ensure the availability of ice for preserving fish, maintaining its value and quality,β he stated.
Meanwhile, Maria NiΓ±a Angelica Dael, president of MNAFO, expressed her optimism about the project, stating that it would greatly help in preserving their products and maintaining their quality.
βGusto namo nga ang among panginabuhian, nga pagpanagat, makatabang dili lang sa among kaugalingon kundi pati sa among mga konsumidor, labi na sa among komunidad ug bisan sa mga kabukiran, pinaagi sa paghatag sa kalidad nga among gustong ihatag,β she said.
[We want our fishing livelihood to benefit our consumers, not just us, especially in our community and even in mountainous areas, by providing the quality we want to offer.]Likewise, SBOFA president Noel B. Opena signified his gratitude to the bureau and committed to taking full responsibility for the project’s maintenance and sustainability.
Opena pledged, βDili namo pakyason ang inyong paglantaw ug pagsalig namo, kay amo gβyud ning atimanon. Andam pud mi maminaw ug modawat og mga tambag para mapatunhay ug mapalambo pa gβyud nato ang mga programa nga gihatag sa atong gobyerno [BFAR-10].β
[We will not fail your expectations and trust in us, because we will truly take care of this. We are also ready to listen and accept advice to sustain and further develop the programs provided by our government.]Before the turnover, the bureau in coordination with the Visayan NorthStar Enterprises has conducted training for these groups on maintenance, optimal operation, and troubleshooting of potential issues, ensuring that the fisherfolk are well-equipped to manage the solar ice-making machine.
Based on the test run conducted on September 17, the SIMM has a production capacity of 306 kilograms of ice in 5 hours, yielding 36 blocks of ice, each weighing 8.5 kilograms. This can be packaged into 40 kg sacks of crushed ice, with a market value of 150 pesos per sack.
With 3 daily batches, the beneficiaries can now generate an estimated daily income of 3,400 pesos, or around P103-K per month.
The said project was initiated in line with the implementation of the Comprehensive Post-Harvest, Marketing and Ancillary Industry Development Plan (CPHMAIDP) 2023-2027, which aims to improve the quality of their harvest, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance their livelihood.
