29/05/2026
๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ฆ "๐๐ข๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ" ๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ก|
โWe are not just celebrating their existence but also recognizing their heroic deeds as food heroes.โ
This statement anchored the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month celebration on May 26, 2026, as the Office of the City Agriculturist (OCA) mobilized a multi-agency team to Manalipa Island to deliver essential regulatory, livelihood, and enforcement services to local coastal workers.
The outreach was designed to honor fisheries workers for their indispensable contribution to securing both local and national food security.
Led by the OCAโs Fisheries and Regulatory Services Division and Agricultural Field Office (AFO) IV, the team rolled out a comprehensive package of interventions. The field operations were directed by Ms. Marinneth B. Galleron (Head of the Fisheries Licensing Section), Mr. Ramil G. Delos Reyes (Head of the Fisheries Regulatory Section), and Mr. Aldrin C. Artieda from AFO IV.
Key activities conducted during the island caravan included the distribution of original copies of municipal fishing boat licenses, or Permits to Operate, alongside an educational orientation on registering both motorized and non-motorized bancas, seminars reminding residents of the strict prohibitions against illegal fishing activities within the municipal waters of Zamboanga City, turnover of high-quality vegetable seeds and specialized fishing gears including hook and lines, tuna handlines, and squid jiggers and official creation and formalization of the Manalipa Panganak Magpipissi Association.
The success of the activity relied on strong inter-agency collaboration. Joining the OCA team on the island were representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and local community leaders.
The partner agencies, local leadership and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) were represented by Mr. Jaber Awang, Pat Aljineer Jining, Barangay Kagawad Hon. Imrani Y. Jimlani and Ms. Halima Hamja.
The vital fishing gear distributed during the activity was provided through the unwavering support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) IX.
The entire operation was heavily backed by City Agriculturist Mr. Arben E. Magdugo, Fisheries Division Head Dr. Godofredo T. Oliveria, and AFO-IV Manicahan Field Officer Mr. Roel U. Cambonga. Local organizers also credited the smooth ex*****on of the caravan to the resolute leadership of Mr. Sajid Mistul, a prominent local fisherfolk leader who helped mobilize the island's beneficiaries.
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(Photo by Aldrin Artieda/Harvy Francisco)