Nominations for GAWAD SAKA Outstanding Fisherfolk Award in Kalinga now OPEN

Tabuk City, Kalinga - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Kalinga has announced that the nominations for the 2025 Gawad Saka Fishery Award are now open for fisherfolks in the province. 

Launched in 1970, Gawad Saka is the highest award given by the Department of Agriculture to farmers and fisherfolks in the country for their excellence, innovation, and sustainable farming and fishing practices. Successful nominees at the provincial level will square off at the region. Regional winners will later compete for the national award.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Provincial Fishery Officer Joyce M. Ducyogen said that many fisherfolks in Kalinga were not able to join in past years’ Gawad Saka nomination because many failed to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR), one of the main requirements. 

“Maysa nga requirements nga makatinnagan da ket hindi sila nagfa-file ng ITR. Ngem tatta adda ti search tayo; ano ba ang mga best practices nila (fisherfolks) and at least 2-3 years in the industry ket isuda tu ti i-nominate tayo idyay region,” Ducyogen said. 

With that, she encouraged fisherfolks in the province to try to meet the requirements so that they can be nominated and recognized for their efforts. 

Ducyogen also recalled that the first recipient of the award in the province was Corazon Kub-ao Ryan in 1997. Corazon is a BS Biology graduate from the University of Baguio and the co-owner of Ryan’s Farm in Ipil, Tabuk City.

 “...first Gawad Saka awardee is actually Ryan’s Farm, ni Mrs. Corazon. Kasi mayroon siyang technology. Adda dagidyay best practices na nga wala sa iba, only in the Cordilleras,” Ducyogen on Ryan’s feat. 

Another employee at the said office, Provincial Agriculturist 1 Cliford L. Fernandez, added that the award comes with incentives from the regional and national levels aside from the certificate of recognition. 

“Apart from the certificates and recognitions, there may be monetary prizes won from the regional level to the national level,” Fernandez said. 

For more information on how to get nominated, along with the list of requirements, just visit the BFAR-Kalinga office located in Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk City.