CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – To intensify support to fishermen and boost the blue economy, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on April 16 launched the Livelihood Activities to Enhance Fisheries Yields and Economic Gains from the West Philippine Sea (Layag-WPS) project in Subic, Zambales on April 16.
“The DA-BFAR commits to the task of empowering Filipino fisherfolk and ensuring that this program is justly and equitably implemented,” noted BFAR director
Demosthenes Escoto. “We believe that we can still improve the numbers, we can sustainably harness the full potential of WPS.” Escoto said the project intends to modernize fishing to improve the lives of communities by unlocking the potential of the resource-rich fishing ground and stirring livelihood opportunities in areas adjacent to the WPS, including the Ilocos, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) regions.
He cited data saying some 300,000 Filipinos fish in WPS areas with around 201,895 metric tons of production in 2023.
Under the Layag-WPS, select associations receive 62-footer fiberglass-reinforced plastic vessels; while around 150 female fisher-beneficiaries, mostly from Central Luzon and Ilocos, will receive livelihood support and post-harvest training.
Escoto added that Layag-WPS will further pad the country’s blue economy and help drop post-harvest losses.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed full support for the program as he thanked local fishers for their efforts to help achieve food security.
“Sa ating lokal na mangingisda, ipinaaabot ko ang aking taos pusong pasasalamat sa inyong pagsusumikap na i-angat hindi lamang ang inyong kabuhayan kundi pati na rin ang antas ng seguridad sa pagkain ng ating bansa. Bukod dito, kayo po ang nagsisilbing haligi sa pagtatag ng ating blue economy o ang likas kayang paggamit ng mga yamang katubigan para sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya at maging sa pangangalaga ng saribuhay at ekosistema ng ating mga karagatan,” the secretary said.
Thankful for the livelihood benefits they received, fisherfolk leader Fausto Alpay enthused: “Kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa ating pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng DA-BFAR at lokal na pamahalaan ng Zambales sa kanilang suporta para sa gaya naming mangingisda. Malaking tulong ito para sa aming kabuhayan.”
Also present during the launch were Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, Philippine Coast Guard commandant CG Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Zambales’ 1 st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and 2 nd District Rep. Doris E. Maniquiz, and Subic Mayor Jonathan John Khonghun. Punto News Team/PNA/Photo: BFAR
