SULU – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had formally launched here on Sunday, the Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agri-Pinoy program of the national government, extending about P15 million worth of fishing facilities and farm input materials to the marginal fishermen and sea farmers of Sulu.
BFAR Director Atty. Asis Perez formally turned over to Rep. Habib Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu) 24 units of payao (fish shed), 48 units of pump boats complete with 16 horse power engine and seaweed farm input materials coasting the agency about P15 million.
During the turn-over rites, Dir. Perez lauded Rep. Loong for his untiring works and initiatives which have led BFAR to grant P15 million for the projects drawn under the Agri-Pinoy program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
During the occasion, Perez assisted by Rep. Loong and Gov. Abdusakur Tan distributed the payaos coupled with pump boats to the town mayors of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Indanan, Jolo, Maimbung, Pangutaran, Parang, Patikul and Talipao – all belongs to the 1st congressional district of Sulu.
The officials also distributed seaweeds farm inputs to coastal sea farmers of the 1st congressional district as a supplemental support to their livelihood.
Agri-Pinoy is the overall strategic framework of DA that incorporates principles and practices that optimize the development of Philippine resources, natural and human, to achieve Philippine goals in agriculture and fisheries, and contribute to national development, Perez explained during his opening statement at the turn over rites held at the Jolo port here.
Rep. Loong during his speech also said that in order to meet the growing needs of a growing Philippine population, “we need to continually increase productivity to insure sustainability, both ecologically and economically.”
Agri-Pinoy’s center on sustainable agricultural and fisheries principles and practices takes into account the limited bio-physical carrying capacity of our country, while investing to expand the capacity of our human resources.
The challenge is now for the National Government officials to provide to our primary producers, information and assistance so that they can adopt and develop innovative technologies and management systems, Gov. Tan said.
But in order to enhance the opportunities of farming and fishing, Loong said, “we must communicate well for the farmers income prospects, as well as promote a social appreciation of the role of farmers and fishers.”
Gov. Tan also urged BFAR officials to develop role models of farmer-technicians, farmer-scientists, and farmer-entrepreneurs and integrate it into any agricultural and fisheries development plan of the department, Tan said. (Nonoy Lacson)
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