The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3) has distributed fish processing equipment to four fisherfolk groups in San Jose, Tarlac to ensure their sustainable livelihood.

The BFAR, through the Tarlac Provincial Fisheries Office, awarded on Tuesday some PHP350,000 worth of post-harvest equipment including a fish smokehouse and mobile fish vending equipment.

The recipients were members of Barangay Lubigan Farmers Association, Samahan ng Magkakaisang Mamamayan ng Purok Pag-asa (SANMAPA), Villa Aglipay, and Farmers and David Women’s Association-Oplan Isda.

BFAR-3 chief Wilfredo Cruz said on Wednesday the move was part of their agency’s Fisheries Livelihood Support Program funded through the Bayanihan II Inclusive Enterprise Development Project.

“The distribution of equipment was aimed at supporting the food security and sustainable income for the fisherfolk,” Cruz said in social media post.

Last May, the BFAR-3 held training on fish deboning, smoking, and bottling to enhance the skills and knowledge of the fisherfolk beneficiaries on technologies for increased income.

Cruz said value-added activities such as training are among the interventions pursued by their bureau to cut post-harvest losses.

“The training is among the continuing program of BFAR-3 in the landlocked province of Tarlac which aims to maximize their limited water resources and promote fish post-harvest activities towards nationwide food security,” he added. (PNA)