BFAR FishCore Project - FMA 6

18/10/2026

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | BFAR-CAR Personnel Conducts Technical Training and Benchmarking at BFAR-NFDC in Support of the FishCore Project

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - National Fisheries Development Center (BFAR-NFDC) hosted personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region (BFAR-CAR) for a benchmarking and capacity-building activity held on October 15–16, 2026, in support of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCore) Project. The initiative likewise supports the objectives of Marlin Subcomponent 2.2: Aquaculture and Fisheries Enterprise Development.

16/10/2026

Strengthening Coastal Resiliency: BFAR-FishCoRe Rallies Local Government Units to Support the FMA 6 Fisheries Plans for Galunggong and Kalaso

Local Government Units and concerned stakeholders from the Philippine’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project (BFAR-FishCoRe) of the Fisheries Management Area 6 (FMA 6) gathered in Alaminos City, Pangasinan for an orientation of the implementation of the Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) of Mackerel Scad (Decapterus macarellus) locally known as galunggong and Greater Lizardfish (Saurida tumbil) also known as kalaso on October 13-15, 2026.

The three-day activity aims to present the current status of fisheries in FMA 6 specifically that of the Mackerel Scad and Greater Lizardfish and other fishes, as a result of the scientific studies conducted by BFAR; present the FMP with major issues affecting the concerned fish stocks for the conservation of both fish species; present the legal frameworks; and rally support from the LGUs and stakeholders in adopting and crafting resolutions or ordinances to support the implementation of the FMPs. Present during the activity were partner stakeholders from local government units (LGU) from the 6 regions under FMA 6, Non-Government Organization representatives, and fisherfolk representatives attended the activity.

Mr. Reginald Laxum Atabay, the Fisheries and Coastal Resilient Resource Planning and Management (FISHCRRM) Lead of Region I discussed the Fisheries Management Plans of both galunggong and kalaso. The harvest control measures (HCMs) were elaborated with emphasis on goals and objectives. This is for a deeper understanding of the LGUs to gain their support and contribution to the FMP’s implementation in the municipal waters, as it is their jurisdiction.

To support these, discussion on the existing fisheries code where the HCMs were based were presented by Mr. Victor Dayap, the Officer-in-charge of the Enforcement and Regional Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Operation Center in Region I. Ms. Felymar Ragutero, FISHCRRM 1.3 lead, on the other hand, discussed the consolidated local policies in Lingayen Gulf related to Fisheries Management.
During the discussions and workshop, participants were asked to look into and review existing local ordinances, especially those in relation to use of active gear aimed to catch galunggong and kalaso.

The workshop concluded with a focus on the immediate next steps where the planned activities of the BFAR Regions or FMA Coordinating Units (FCUs) are clearly stated, followed by corresponding Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities to boost awareness of local coastal communities and stakeholders. Lastly is the identification of activities to enhance the community readiness of all stakeholders in adopting and implementing the plans. Resources needed, timelines, and budgetary requirements that come along with the planned activities of the FCUs were also discussed during the workshop.

The World Bank FISHCORE Project with BFAR hopes for holistic fisheries management, ensuring that stakeholders are considered while all efforts are designed to achieve food security for the nation.//

Photo credits to Ms. Angel Sotto, FishCoRe Technical Staff.

09/10/2026

Preparation for 2027 Starts Now: FishCoRe Staff from RPIU 6 and FCU III holds PPMP workshop

At the heart of every successful project comes the minds of planners and staff that worked together to make it possible for every aspect of the project to work in order.

With this in mind, concerned personnel of the Philippine’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (BFAR-FishCoRe) Project from the Regional Project Implementing Unit (RPIU) together with Project personnel from Region III gathered on October 7-9, 2026 in Clark, Pampanga to plan ahead for the smooth implementation of Project activities for the Fiscal Year 2027.

To guide the participants in crafting their respective component PPMPs, the Office invited two resource speakers from the Department of Agriculture – Central Office. Mr. Selwyn Tolentino from the Monitoring Section discussed about Market Scoping. The Philippine Procurement Paradigm states that market scoping is the first activities that needs to be done accurately to ensure that procurement activities will proceed accordingly and successfully. On the other hand, Mr. Rogelio Labrador Jr., Development Management Officer V discussed about the preparation of documents for the various modes of procurement such as the technical specification for goods, scope of works for infrastructures and terms of reference for consultancy services.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mikka Belarmino discussed the procurement guidelines by World Bank - the funding agency of the Project. The orientation served as a refresher course specially for the newly-hired technical staff of the Project. Ms. Belarmino reiterated the importance of completing all procurement documents accurately and efficiently so that uploading in the Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement or the STEP system will also be done smoothly.

Mr. Neil Kenneth Catibog, FishCoRe Alternate Focal shared that as the Project approaches its mid-term implementation, initial assessment has already been made during the recently just concluded World Bank Mission. Thus, he encouraged everyone to craft PPMPs that are anchored to the FishCoRe Project Framework and findings of the Mission, especially in relation to the affected stakeholders in the implementation of the Fisheries Management Plan for the conservation of galunggong. In addition, he also asked everyone to explore possible partnership with regional lined agencies such as DILG, DSWD, and TESDA.

After the lectures and discussions, personnel were given the opportunity to work on their respective PPMPs. Personnel from the three components of the Project were given time to present their output for the information and critiquing of the group. FishCoRe’s Alternate Focal Mr. Neil Kenneth Catibog, Ms. Romina Yutuc and Ms. Geraldine Sayco, both SUPRIM Component Lead from RPIU and FCU III respectively, provided inputs and help check the technicalities of the PPMPs, making sure that all items are aligned with the World Bank and Philippine’s procurement procedures and guidelines.

After the presentation of PPMPs, the financial status of the Project both for RPIU and FCU III were also presented. Concerned personnel who needs to double up their effort in obligating and disbursing their continuing and current funds were given recommendations and deadlines were set to ensure that the Project will reach its financial targets.//

05/10/2026

02/10/2026

𝐅𝐂𝐔𝟏 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭, 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

To further enhance the operational preparedness and capabilities in enforcing fisheries laws, particularly in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and poaching, the Fisheries and Coastal Resilient Resource Planning and Management (FishCRRM) Sub-component 1.3 of the FMA 6 Coordinating Unit 1 (FCU1) conducted the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Training on September 7–18, 2026 at the Regional Mariculture Technology Demonstration Center (RMaTDeC), Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

A total of thirteen (13) personnel from the Enforcement Regional Monitoring Control Surveillance Operations Center (ERMCSOC) and other Fishing Regulations Officers participated in the two-week course, which covered maritime laws, procedures, safety and risk assessment, boarding operations, use of force, close-quarter battle (CQB), vessel inspection, crime scene management, and emergency response, complemented by practical exercises and simulations.

The training culminated in an actual boarding exercise in the vicinity waters of Alaminos City using a BFAR MCS Patrol Vessel designated as a Vessel of Interest (VOI). All participants completed the course and formed the SALAKNIB 6 Class of VBSS.

The activity was made possible through the support and expertise of Learning Service Providers from various regions, whose knowledge and practical experience contributed to strengthening the participants’ competencies in maritime and fishery law enforcement.

30/09/2026

FMA 6 Management Board Approves the Aquaculture Development and Management Plan of FMA 6

Members of the Fisheries Management Area 6 (FMA 6) Management Board (MB) approved the Aquaculture Development and Management Plan (ADMP) on September 29, 2026 during the 3rd Management Board Meeting held in Baguio City.

However, before the Local Government Unit adopts the plan at their level, the technical committee must incorporate recommendations and suggestions raised by the members of the board during the meeting.

The plan hopes to serve as the strategic framework for guiding a sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive aquaculture industry in FMA 6. BFAR Cordillera Regional Director Nazario Briguera shared that the plan is very comprehensive but needs to include more data specially on the fry sufficiency level of the primary commodities of FMA 6 discussed in the plan. “With these, the plan will help us obtain more budget assistance and will also help policy making bodies in coming up with policies that are sustainable and tailored to the needs of our stakeholders,” RD Briguerra added.

Prior to the approval of the plan and for the information of the Body, Ms. Arlyn Mendoza, the Regional Project Implementing Unit (RPIU) Fisheries and Coastal Resilient Resource Planning and Management (FishCRRM) Lead presented the enhanced ADMP. For almost two years, Ms. Mendoza shared that before the ADMP was crafted, various activities were conducted.

Among these activities are the hiring and orientation of Aquaculture Fisheries Geospatial Information System (AqFGIS) enumerators, start of AqFGIS inventory activities, conduct of Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) and carrying capacity studies, ground validation in aquaculture zoning in FMA 6, finalization of the FMA-level ADMP planning guidelines, training of staff on the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture Management (EAAqM), drafting of the ADMP, crafting and review of the goals, objectives, management actions and targets of the plan and conduct of various stakeholders consultation, among others.

These activities resulted to the generation of scientific data that helped the Technical Working Group, the Scientific Advisory Group, and the MB members in coming up with the management action plans, targets, proposed projects and activities that will help in achieving the goals and objectives of the plan.

During the meeting, various agenda were also discussed. Among these are the proposed inclusion of Minalin and Santo Tomas, Pampanga as possible coverage area by the FishCoRe Project. The approval was deferred prior to the submission of supporting documents by the technical committee and review of the Board.

For the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) resolution amending the designation of the vice chairperson to co-chairperson, the Body agreed that the designation of vice-chairperson remains. Members of the SAG will later be informed of the decisions.

Another discussion is a proposal by the Collected Localisation Satellites (CLS) called The Blue Tide Project, presented by Pierre Vassal. The Blue Tide is a project for the sustainable monitoring and management of fisheries in the Philippines. In behalf of the Body, Regional Director Wilfredo M. Cruz, as the FMA 6 Chairperson, expressed his support to the Blue Tide Project saying that we should take advantage of the Project collaboration between CLS because it is very advantageous for our fisherfolks in terms of monitoring their fish catch, their current location and that their safety at sea is our top priority. //

Photo credits to Ms. Elvira Lutero

29/09/2026

SANAMAMA Receives 5,000 Juvenile Mangrove Crabs from FishCoRe: A Big Boost to Their Sustainable Livelihood Activities

The Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Mandaragat ng Mabatang (SANAMAMA) Incorporated from Abucay, Bataan received 5,000 juvenile mangrove crabs (Scylla serrata) from the Philippine’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources -Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (BFAR-FishCoRe) Project on September 29, 2026.

The provision of juvenile stocks is part of their subproject funded by the Project titled “Aquasilviculture of Mangrove Crab in Abucay, Bataan” that aims to enhance local crab production by utilizing mangrove areas in a sustainable manner. It is designed to promote the dual objectives of mangrove conservation and livelihood development while providing an environmentally sound and economically viable source of income for the members of the SANAMAMA association. The availability of crabs, as a readily source of protein, will also enhance food security in the community.
The members of the association rely on the bounty of the sea as their source of livelihood and daily subsistence. With the decline of wild fish stocks, the fisherfolk who depend on the waters for survival needs alternative source of livelihood. Through the Project, members of the SANAMAMA are presented with the opportunity to manage their subproject as an alternative source of livelihood.

Aside from the crabs, the association also received other materials needed in the production and management of their subproject such as motorized fiber glass boat, nets, solar lights and blinker, plastic crates, feeds for the crab, among others. In total, the association received around ₱1.5 million worth of assistance from the FishCoRe. Part of the assistance was used for the construction of a caretaker’s hut. Some of the materials were already delivered to the project sites beforehand so that the members can prepare the sites prior to the delivery of the juvenile stocks.

The 5,000 square meter production site of the association was divided into 5 sites. Each site, 1,000 juvenile mangrove crab will be released to follow the stocking density of 1 crab per square meter. The sites will be managed by the 16 members of the SANAMAMA themselves.

The association is expected to have their first harvest after five months and members of the association plan to sell their market-ready harvest in Orani, Balanga and nearby municipalities. According to Mr. Rudy Simbol, the Chairperson of the association, depending on the size of the crab, price ranges from 500-1000 each in the community.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vhernie De Lara from the Bataan Office of the Municipal Agriculture shared that SANAMAMA is the only group who’s into mangrove crab production in the community. To help the members of the association and other fisherfolk in the production and management of their livelihood subprojects, he shared that there are various trainings prepared to help and capacitate them further such as proper feed formulation, among others.//

29/09/2026