BFAR allocates P42M for 15 CFLCs in Davao Region in 2016.

MATI CITY– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has allocated P42M for the establishment of at least 15 Community Fish Landing Center (CFLCs) in the Davao Region for  2016.

“The CFLCs will be established in strategic areas nationwide particularly in fisherfolk communities with high poverty incidence with the goal of promoting inclusive growth in one of the country’s poorest sector,” BFAR Davao Region Director Fatma Idris said.

The CFLC, which aims to reduce post-harvest losses in the fisheries sector to 18% from the present 25% is part of BFAR’s umbrella program known as Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation (TARGET). Among the three programs under TARGET are the fisherfolk registration, Boat Registration and the CFLC.

Fishermen usually bring their abundant fish catch along the shores and make use of what’s available including large stones to cut the fish before selling them to the community.This practice is however far from ideal under Republic Act 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 which was enacted to strengthen the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products.

But with the establishment of the CFLC will allow the fisherfolk to bring their fish harvest in a clean facility where the fish will be kept clean and fresh.

The Center will be equipped with 10 stainless steel tables and two chest freezers to ensure that the fish harvest is properly preserved so the fisherfolk can sell them at a higher price.

The CFLC in Mati City is the first in the Davao Region. It has a construction cost of P2.85 Million. Four more CFLCs in the region are undergoing construction in Lupon, Banaybanay, Boston and Governor Generoso all in Davao Oriental but this one will be a model CFLC for all. Two CFLCs were turned over to two municipalities in Oriental Mindoro last month.

Up to 252 CFLCs all over the country have been included in last year’s budget and majority are in the construction stage. Up to 271 more Centers will be built this year and almost the same number by 2017 to achieve BFAR’s target of putting up CFLCs in strategic areas along the 928 coastal cities and municipalities across the country including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Mati CFLC opens

The opening of the Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC) in Barangay Mayo in Mati, Davao Oriental is expected to provide more opportunities for the fisherfolk in the area. 

“The fisherfolk will be able to bring their fish harvest in a clean facility where the fish will kept clean and fresh,” Benjamin F. S. Tabios, Jr., assistant director for administrative services of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said during the launch and blessing of the facility.

The P2.85-million CFLC is the first in the Davao Region, and four more are under construction in the municipalities of Lupon, Banaybanay, Boston, and Governor Generoso, all in Davao Oriental. 

BFAR has allocated P42 million for at least 15 CFLCs in the Davao Region in 2016. A total of 252 CFLCs nationwide were included in the government’s 2015 budget, and majority are now under construction.

For this year, 271 have been lined up, and about the same number are planned for 2017. BFAR aims to put up CFLCs near or in 928 coastal cities and municipalities across the country.

“The CFLCs will be established in strategic areas nationwide, particularly in fisherfolk communities with high poverty incidence, with the goal of promoting inclusive growth in one of the country’s poorest sectors,” BFAR Davao Region Director Fatma M. Idris said.

Idris said the facilities are seen to help bring down post-harvest losses in the fisheries sector to 18% from the present 25%, under BFAR’s umbrella program, Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation (TARGET).

Aside from the CFLCs, the two other major components of TARGET are the fisherfolk registration and boat registration projects.

BFAR National Director Asis G. Perez earlier said the CFLC sites were determined using the fisherfolk database and the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture of the Department of Budget and Management, with the assistance of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

Tabios said all the CFLCs will have similar costs, but there will be three basic design options, depending on the community’s requirements.

The centers are also intended as multi-purpose buildings that can be used for skills and livelihood training, or even as a tourist attraction.

“This is especially true for the CFLC in Barangay Mayo, which could be a good tourist attraction because of its ideal location just along the shore,” he said.

Erlinda D. Ali, BFAR provincial fisheries officer in Davao Oriental, said the Mayo CFLC will initially be run by the local government, but members of the community will be trained to eventually take over the management.

Mayo Barangay Chairman Noel V. Alo, for his part, said they are committed to “nurture the project” and will make use of the center to come up with other projects that will benefit the fishing community.