LAGANGILANG, Abra – From individual small-scale fisherfolk, members of the Nagtipulan Fisherfolk Organization (NFO) in Lagangilang, Abra are on their way towards becoming a community-based enterprise.
Empowering local fisherfolk
The NFO started as a small fisherfolk organization formed in 2023, based on the advice of the Municipal Agriculture Office.
The 35-member organization was chosen as a beneficiary of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Special Area for Agricultural Development (BFAR-SAAD) Phase II Program to ensure the production of safe and quality tilapia and catfish (hito).
Program implementation started in April 2023 initially benefitting 24 fisherfolk who received 40,000 fingerlings and 400 bags of feeds were distribute to the beneficiaries. Under the program, two pond-based hatcheries were also established and 10,000 broodstock released.
“Idi agfish-fishpond’ak ket gumatangak ti semilya nga ipispisuk ko iti pribado. Ti panagdakkel na ket no dadduma, makapunta’ak met ti nadaras nga dumakel, no daduma met nakuriteg,” shared 78-year old fisherfolk beneficiary Dionie Casigay.
The organization expanded membership to include women fisherfolk and persons with disability who were also involved in the fish production, processing, and product marketing.
NFO member Jun Pico expressed optimism for the organization with the continuous support from BFAR-SAAD and the local government unit.
“Makitak daytoy organisasyon mi, nalaing met dagiti kakadwak, naurnos met ket nagaget da met nga mangted kadagiti obligasyon da. Kasta met ti opisyales mi, nalaing da met nga mangiwanwan kanyami ken mangibaga ti pagsayaatan daytoy nga organisasyon mi,” he said.
Harvesting benefits
With the free fingerlings and feeds from the government, the NFO fisherfolk were able to harvest 2,472.1 kilograms for the first and second cropping.
Reynaldo Pico, an NFO member who was diagnosed with hematoma, shared how the BFAR-SAAD program helped improve his income to augment hospital bills.
“Idi bulan ti January, nagkaroonak ti sakit nga hematoma kunada ket masapul ti kwarta ket awan met pag-alaak ket idi naglako’ak ti lames ket isu ti inusar ko ti daduma nga nga kasapulan mi iti ospital. Ita, nasayaat metten ti panagriknak,” he said.
Aside from improved production, the organization was also able to come up with value added products such as the tilapia marinado to boost the livelihood of its members.
NFO treasurer Efren Pico reported that the group has more than P100,000 in their savings account.
“Daytoy nga kwarta ket usaren mi nga mang-develop ti pond-based hatchery mi ken puunan para ti pannakai-process ti tilapia marinado,” he shared.
Towards self-sufficiency
As NFO members continue to work towards the development of their organization, the local government through the Municipal Agriculture Office, committed its support with the backing from the BFAR-SAAD.
“I am proud to affirm the support of the local government unit to the beneficiaries of the BFAR SAAD program in our municipality. With the continuous backing of the SAAD program, the assistance of the LGU, and the dedication of our beneficiaries, we are confident that we can realize these aspirations and create a thriving agricultural community that benefits all,” Lagangilang municipal agriculturist Marinelle Trongco expressed.
Meanwhile, the NFO treasurer shared the vision for their organization and their community in the coming years.
“Kalpasan iti BFAR-SAAD program, agbalin kami nga community-based enterprise ket aramidan mi amin ti kabaelan mi tapno makatakder kami ti bukod mi,” Pico ensured.
Through the organization, the municipality of Lagangilang was able to garner second place in for the “uuSAAD ang pamumuhay: Short Audio Visual Presentation Making Contest”.
Recently, NFO was again able to harvest fresh tilapia which they sold at much lower prices. They were also able to process and are now marketing their tilapia marinado through the assistance of the BFAR-SAAD program and other partners.
Aside from Lagangilang, the BFAR-SAAD program was also able to benefit fisherfolk organizations across the province of Abra, bringing free fingerlings and feeds, trainings, and capacity building activities to empower more Abrenian fisherfolk towards progressive and food sufficient communities. Jamie Joie P. Malingan, Philippine Information Agency, Abra