CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Central Luzon launched its innovative program called Seafood KADIWA Grant to aid local fisherfolk communities across the region.
The program, which is a pioneering initiative in Central Luzon, aims to address financial gap among fisherfolk groups by providing them with start-up capital in the form of fresh fish.
BFAR 3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said unlike other assistance programs, the Seafood KADIWA grant in Region 3 will provide beneficiaries with 100 kilograms of milkfish, which they can sell fresh, chilled, or processed.
Among the pilot beneficiaries of the program are 26 fisherfolk associations in the region including 12 in Aurora; six in Zambales; four in Tarlac; and two each in Bataan and Nueva Ecija.
Cruz said the beneficiaries can use their earnings from the initial batch of fish to sustain their operations and foster a self-sustaining model of economic empowerment within their communities.
“The Seafood Kadiwa Grant project embodies BFAR 3’s unwavering dedication to fostering sustainable development and prosperity within coastal communities. By empowering fisherfolk groups with the tools they need to thrive, this initiative holds the promise of a brighter future for the region’s fishery industry,” the director stressed.
Aside from the program, BFAR 3 also offered marketing assistance to the beneficiaries to facilitate connections with fish producers, as well as logistical support during the delivery of fish to various provinces.
This collaborative effort seeks to establish a symbiotic relationship between producers and groups, bridging market gaps and enhancing fish supply in regions with low sufficiency levels. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
