San Carlos City through the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) organized the 1st Fisherfolks Congress on July 14 at the San Carlos City Multi-Purpose Hall, Park Marina.
At least 200 participants from different barangays including Brgy. I, Guadalupe, Buluangan, Palampas, Punao, San Juan and Ermita Sipaway Island joined the convention.
Edward Burgos, Costal Resource Management (CRM) Division head, said that the assembly is aimed at honoring the fishermen for their active involvement in programs that protect the ocean.
Burgos also thanked the San Carlos City government and Mayor Renato Gustilo for the strong support to the projects regarding costal resource management and Bantay Dagat programs that prevent illegal activities including the implementation of the “No dynamite fishing” for more than 10 years already as well as the “No commercial fishing.”
Atty. Estefanio Libutan Jr., City Administrator, said that the fishermen are very important since the fishing industry is one valuable sector that contributes largely to the local economy.
He added that the government will always be supportive of the programs that will help the communities.
Resource speakers from local and national agencies including the City Environment and Management Office (CEMO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), and DTI-NEGOSYO CENTER shared their programs that are beneficial to the community.
Faustino Cordova Jr., vice chairman of Kanipa-an Fisherfolks of Brgy. Punao, said he is thankful for being a member of a registered association which he hopes would be a recipient of various assistance from the government so they could do more for the community while at the same time earn more for their family.*
