‘Register to avail free services, fingerlings, and other aid’ - BFAR-Kalinga to fisherfolk

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Fisherfolk in the province are reminded anew by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – Kalinga and avail free services, fingerlings, and other aid that can help them boost their fish production.

BFAR-Kalinga officer, in an interview, said there are still many fishers having their ponds who haven’t registered, and thus they cannot be recipients of BFAR programs. It is required that all individuals receiving assistance must be officially registered as fisherfolk.

BFAR Agriculturist I Cliford L. Fernandez explained that the first step is for the fishers to register and be informed of the programs of the BFAR, so they will be correctly provided information and be oriented on processes and regulations. Fernandez added the office cannot just distribute fingerlings anytime or give feeds to anyone who will come to the office as their work requires processes, assessments, and validation before release.

“Adda guidelines nga masursurot, so we are encouraging yung mga fisherfolk nga umay da agpa-register to let them know what is needed to be done and if they are qualified. Adda met dagiti staff ti office nga tumulong,” informed Fernandez.

In the process, Fernandez said that when fisherfolk apply, they must get a certification from the barangay that they are fisherfolk and have a pond, the Municipal or City LGU then checks the information and provides the approval. After that, the BFAR office will then check their pond area and assess if they are qualified and how much aid they need.

To register, fisherfolk can visit their Local Government Unit (LGU) or the Office of the Municipal Agriculture Office and Services and fill out a registration form at no cost.

As part of the application process, they need to provide a 2x2 photograph and a photocopy of a government-issued identification card.

Reporting the actual amount of harvest

One of the problems of the documentation of fisherfolk in the province, according to Fernandez, is that some registered fisherfolk do not report the actual number of fish they harvest because they worry about the effect on their record or that a percentage of their harvest maybe taken by the agency.

The officer explained that BFAR-Kalinga do not take a percentage of their catch; they only want a record of their harvest, whether it is little or more, as BFAR requires proof of their catch or a documentation record.

The proof or record helps the agency ensure the fisherfolk are following the guidelines. Those who follow the guidelines will be able to avail of continued services and free fingerlings, while those who don’t will no longer be provided aid.

Fernandez also clarified that they are not giving fingerlings just to the people they prefer and that there is no discrimination when it comes to the distribution of aid.