Southeastern Cebu towns best Bantay Dagat group

CEBU, Philippines - The Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander and Samboan-Municipal Seaborne and Coastal Law Enforcement Southeast Cebu Cluster received an award for being an Outstanding Bantay Dagat Group in the province.

The award was given by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) 7, which handed out certificates of award in various categories of achievers in the fisheries sector.

 The awarding ceremony was held at the BFAR-7 Regional Office at Pier 1, Cebu City to cap the celebration of the Fish Conservation Week.

 Other bantay dagat group awardees are the Tubigon Law Enforcement Team, the Amlan Bantay Dagat Task Force and the Siquijor Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force.

 Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, chairman of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries, said the support of the local government units and nongovernment groups is important to improve the fisheries sector.

 Salimbangon, in a speech during the awarding ceremony, said the National Government must focus on a program for fish production to meet the high demand at the world market.

 He cited the assurance made by businessmen in China to buy fish from the Philippines.

 The fourth district solon said the big market in China is just waiting for the Philippines to supply them with fish.

 For his part, BFAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos said that the department has introduced programs to improve the quality of fish and other marine products coming from Central Visayas.

 Awardees in other categories for this year include the Macapagal-Durano Fish Port in Danao City as the cleanest and most hygienic fish port in Cebu and the Bohol Agro-Marine Development Corporation as the only European Union-accredited processing plant in Central Visayas.

 The outstanding fisherfolk organizations in the region are the Bohol Provincial Seaweed Growers Association in Bien Unido, Bohol, the Hilotungan Seaweed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the Canday-Ong-Calindagan Fisherfolks Association and the Candapang Fishermen’s Association.   (THE FREEMAN NEWS)