THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has allocated about P14 million for the construction of five more Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs) in Negros Occidental this year.
The cities of San Carlos, Escalante, Sagay and Himamaylan, and municipality of Pontevedra will each receive P2.8 million for the construction of their respective facilities.
Last year, the BFAR also allotted about P11.2 million for the establishment of the facilities in cities of Sipalay and Victorias, and towns of Toboso and E.B. Magalona.
In 2015, Cadiz City was the first local government unit in the province identified as recipient of the program.
Marianne Jill Sajo-Abeto, fishing regulations officer I of BFAR-Negros Occidental, said Thursday that each of the two-storey landing center would cost P3 million.
The BFAR will shoulder the P2.8 million for the infrastructure while the remaining P200,000 would come from the National Anti-Poverty Commission for social preparations, including training and organizational operation.
“The establishment of fish landing centers is aimed at bringing together the harvest of fisherfolk of every recipient-locality in one accessible terminal or ‘bagsakan,’” Sajo-Abeto said.
BFAR Western Visayas Assistant Regional Director Carlito Delfin, who also heads BFAR-Negros Occidental, had earlier said these landing centers were seen to strengthen local fisherfolk communities by serving as trading posts that would link fishermen to sure markets.
Of the total 10 CFLCs in the province, the Sipalay facility was turned over to its local government earlier this year.
Sajo-Abeto said the turn-over of the fish landing centers in cities of Cadiz and Victorias was set this April and May, respectively.
?Other facilities in the province are currently under construction and bidding,? she said, adding that the agency is optimistic to complete the construction of all CFLCs next year.
BFAR also targets to saturate all coastal cities and municipalities in the province, which will be identified by the national agency through fisherfolk and boat registrations, she added.
Aside from small fishermen, recipient-cities and municipalities will also benefit from the revenues generated through the fish landing centers.
After the construction, BFAR will enter into a memorandum of agreement with the city and municipal governments which will take over the operations and maintenance of the facility. (With PNA)