Bataan’s lone city Balanga has been named the regional winner of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 2022 Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) Search for Outstanding Coastal Community.
Bataan officials led by Vice Governor Marcia Cristina Garcia, together with Balanga City Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia, on Monday received PHP2 million worth of livelihood projects and a plaque of recognition from BFAR.
This is the second consecutive time that Balanga City emerged as the regional winner in this annual search, one of BFAR’s banner programs, which is aimed at recognizing the outstanding initiatives and contributions of coastal municipalities or cities to sustainable fisheries management.
BFAR 3 (Central Luzon) Director Wilfredo Cruz commended Balanga City for being a reliable partner in the conservation of marine and coastal resources.
“As the regional winner of DA-BFAR’s MMK competition, Balanga City sets a commendable example for other coastal communities, inspiring them to adopt similar practices and contribute to the protection and preservation of our oceans and marine resources,” Cruz said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the PHP2-million livelihood project awarded to Balanga would bolster the city’s fishing communities and create opportunities for economic growth.
Cruz said the incentive would be a big support to the local fishermen and fisherfolk organizations by providing them with essential resources and training programs to enhance their fishing techniques and sustainability practices.
“The project also aims to ensure the long-term viability of Balanga’s marine resources while improving the quality of life for those involved in the fishing industry,” he added.
Balanga City will automatically vie for the national-level competition of MMK this year.
Mayor Garcia, meanwhile, thanked the BFAR for giving importance to the city government’s best practices in the implementation of the Fisheries Code.
“Ipagpatuloy po natin ang sama-samang pagtutulungan upang ang malinis at masaganang karagatan ay ating makamtan (Let us continue to work together so we could have clean and abundant marine resources),” he said. (PNA)
