Tubod, Lanao del Norte, March 2 – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has recently awarded the Provincial Local Government Unit of Lanao del Norte a financial assistance worth  P25 million to finance the implementation of the development of the province’s mariculture and aqua tourism project.  The awarding ceremony was held at the Office of the Provincial Administrator with Joselito E. Quibranza (Provincial Administrator), Letecia G. Ditucalan (Provincial Agriculture Officer), PGLDN employees and BFAR staff in attendance.

                This BFAR assistance is an adherence to the Republic Act 8550 known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 which mandated the BFAR for the development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources including the improvement and productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits.

                The Lanao del Norte LGU headed by Governor Khalid Dimaporo continues to be committed to the conservation and development of the province’s aquaculture resources and remains to be a strong ally of BFAR in the alleviation of the economic conditions in the coastal areas.

                Further, the establishment of the Lanao del Norte Mariculture and Aqua Tourism Project of PGLDN is a government initiative to provide support to the fisheries sector primarily the ordinary  fisherfolks, through appropriate technology and research, manage fisheries and aquatic resources in a manner consistent with the concept of an integrated coastal area management in line with the policies of the national government.

                BFAR as an implementing agency for fisheries through Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimerin of BFAR Regional 10 Office funded the livelihood projects for the fishing communities in the ten (10) identified coastal towns of Lanao del Norte : Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND), Tubod, Kolambugan, Maigo, Baroy, Lala, Kapatagan, Bacolod, Kauswagan and Linamon.  

                 These livelihood assistance is the materialization of BFAR’s commitment to tie up with the LGUs to effectively carry out its goal in providing and extending support to the fisheries communities throughout Lanao del Norte. ARMS/PIO-LDN