THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas is now 30 percent complete in its implementation of fish landing center projects in the region, including Negros Occidental, its top official said.
Remia Aparri, regional director of BFA-Western Visayas, said of the 81 targeted units in the region, 24 were already established.
She said the project implementation started in 2015, and the agency targets 100 percent completion next year.
“Construction of the remaining fish landing centers are also up for completion,” Aparri said.
The BFAR official said the Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs) will reduce the post-harvest cost of fisherfolk.
It will also result to economic growth in the community as more trading activities will take place, Aparri further said.
In Negros Occidental, 10 fish landing centers will be established.
Of which, three were already completed in the cities of Sipalay, Cadiz, and Victorias.
These facilities, turned over to the local governments earlier this year, are now operational.
The BFAR-Negros Occidental had earlier said the agency has allocated about P14 million for the construction of five CFLCs in the province 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.
In 2016, BFAR also allotted about P11.2 million for the establishment of the facilities in the cities of Sipalay and Victorias, and towns of Toboso and E.B. Magalona.
In 2015, Cadiz City was the first local government unit in Negros Occidental identified as recipient of the program.
Each of the two-storey landing center will cost P3 million.
The BFAR will shoulder the P2.8 million for the infrastructure while the remaining P200,000 will come from the National Anti-Poverty Commission for social preparations, including training and organizational operation.
The establishment of CFLCs is also aimed at bringing together the harvest of fisherfolk of every recipient-locality in one accessible terminal or “bagsakan.”
BFAR Western Visayas Assistant Regional Director Carlito Delfin had earlier said these landing centers are seen to strengthen local fisherfolk communities by serving as trading posts that would link fishermen to sure markets.
Aside from small fishermen, recipient-cities and municipalities will also benefit from the revenues generated through the fish landing centers, Delfin said.
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, he added.