BFAR Region 6

21/10/2026

𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚

Iloilo Central Market
October 19-23, 2026

21/10/2026

𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗔-𝗕𝗙𝗔𝗥 𝟲

A total of 11,000 tilapia fry, three fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats, and monofilament nylon fishing lines were distributed by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office VI (DA-BFAR 6) to fisherfolk in Anini-y, Antique, on October 20, 2026, to support their fishing livelihoods during the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty.

Spearheaded by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), the annual observance carries the theme “United for Peace and Human Rights: Safe Homes for All” and highlights the importance of addressing extreme poverty and social exclusion while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

In her message, DA-BFAR 6 Regional Director Remia A. Aparri outlined three commitments for the Antiqueño fisherfolk: protecting fisheries resources, expanding livelihood opportunities, and ensuring that fisherfolk can access government services and support.

“We will keep strengthening coastal resource management in Antique...so our seas can keep feeding our families,” Director Aparri emphasized.

She also stressed that registration is the key to reaching fisherfolk.

“Services cannot reach those who are not registered,” Director Aparri added, saying that the Bureau will continue Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) and Boat Registration (BoatR) so that no family is left behind.

For 54-year-old Rogelio M. Nagrit of Barangay Iba, Anini-y, Antique, the day became doubly meaningful as he celebrated his birthday while receiving an FRP boat and monofilament nylon fishing line from DA-BFAR 6.

“Dako gid ang pasalamat ko sa BFAR nga nagtao sang assistance nga nylon kag bangka. Dako gid ang pasalamat ko sa BFAR kay ginhatagan nila kami sang suporta nga makabulig gid sa akon,” he said.

The activity, led by NAPC, brought together the local government unit of Anini-y and various national government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agrarian Reform, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Through the convergence of LGU and government agencies, the observance highlighted the importance of coordinated support in addressing poverty and improving access to livelihood opportunities, social protection, and essential services for vulnerable communities. # # #/HJGabiota

21/10/2026

#𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 | 𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬? 🌊💧💙

Protecting Waddy starts with protecting the environment they call home! 🐬🌱

For this week’s #𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, our #𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 from 𝐍𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 remind us that caring for our environment is a shared responsibility, and the youth have an important role in protecting the Irrawaddy dolphin and its habitat.

From reducing plastic waste and practicing proper waste disposal to keeping our waterways clean, our everyday actions can help lessen pollution and protect the marine environment that Waddy depends on. After all, a cleaner sea means a healthier home for our gentle giant! 💙🌊

Young people, your voices and actions matter! Let’s inspire one another to take responsibility, make sustainable choices, and become active advocates for Waddy’s survival.

Ready to discover how the youth can make waves for Waddy? Hit play and let’s turn environmental awareness into action! 🐬✨


#𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 #𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 #𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 #𝐎𝐮𝐫𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐎𝐮𝐫𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 #𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐖𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲

20/10/2026

𝗕𝗦𝗖-𝗡𝗧𝗪𝗚 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Iloilo City - The Blue Swimming Crab National Technical Working Group (BSC-NTWG) is now focusing its efforts on information, education, and communication (IEC) and on the training of marine mammal responders, as it also moves to fast-track the submission of documents in support of the Philippines’ bid to regain access to the US market.

Chaired by DA-BFAR 6 Regional Director Remia A. Aparri, the meeting on October 19, 2026, brought together national agencies, regional offices, researchers, and private sector partners.

The group underscored the need for stronger communication with fishing communities, traders, processors, and other stakeholders, and RD Aparri noted that IEC efforts will be more effective with the participation of the private sector.

The NTWG also gave priority to the training of marine mammal responders, covering bycatch handling, the activation of stranding networks, and an Endangered, Threatened, and Protected (ETP) species readiness module.

These efforts build on measures already under way, led by the ongoing implementation and rollout of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 277, which the NTWG also identified as a priority. The body also took up the review of dockside monitoring, population assessment of marine mammals, and a marine mammal recovery plan that includes the Irrawaddy dolphin. It likewise discussed the reduction of gillnet use and the non-sourcing of BSC from Irrawaddy dolphin areas.

Meanwhile, a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) for BSC by the Philippine Association of Crab Processors, Inc. (PACPI) is being developed around IEC campaigns, a dolphin-safe fishing initiative, in the augmentation of data collection and implementation of a mandatory catch documentation and traceability system (MCDTS).

The group took note of the proposed PhP10-million project to be funded by the Department of Science and Technology and led by the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and the University of the Philippines Visayas. The project is expected to cover DNA-based studies, acoustic pingers, crab traps, and value chain work.

Director Aparri also recognized the work done since June, including consultations with local governments and stakeholders, meetings with processors and industry partners, assistance to BSC fishers and line workers, and the fast-tracking of legal and policy instruments. # # #

20/10/2026

𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐃𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐎, 𝐂𝐔𝐌 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐆 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒 𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

Wala naghuna-huna si Aleanna Marie Pancho sang Carles, Iloilo nga ang iya simple nga pagpasimpalad sa BFAR scholarship program ang magabulig sa iya nga makatapos nga Cum Laude sa kolehiyo kag topnotcher sang ila nga board exam.

Saksi ang baybay sa Barangay Tarong, ang lugar nga iya gindak-an, sa paghimakas sang iya mga ginikanan para makatapos siya kag ang anum niya ka manghud sa pag-eskwela.

𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐃𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐎, 𝐂𝐔𝐌 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐆 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒 𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

Wala naghuna-huna si Aleanna Marie Pancho sang Carles, Iloilo nga ang iya simple nga pagpasimpalad sa BFAR scholarship program ang magabulig sa iya nga makatapos nga Cum Laude sa kolehiyo kag topnotcher sang ila nga board exam.

Saksi ang baybay sa Barangay Tarong, ang lugar nga iya gindak-an, sa paghimakas sang iya mga ginikanan para makatapos siya kag ang anum niya ka manghud sa pag-eskwela.

Sa tuman nga kapigaduhon, nagsulod sadto sa pinsar ni Aleanna nga magpahuway anay sa pagtuon agud makabulig sa ila pamilya.

Pero bangud sa scholarship program sang Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), ang iya handum nga makatapos sa kolehiyo ang tigayon niya nga naangkon.

Sa sulod sang apat ka tuig, nangin katuwang sang pamilya Pancho ang BFAR sa pagpa-eskwela kay Aleanna.

Bilang BFAR scholar, si Aleanna ang nakabaton sang bulanan nga stipend, mga allowance para sa libro kag uniporme, kag suporta para sa on-the-job training kag thesis.

Bangud sa scholarship program, ginbakasan pa gid ni Aleanna ang pagtuon sa iya nga kurso nga BS Fisheries program.

Sa iya pag-graduate sa Northern Iloilo State University (NISU), si Aleanna ang ginhingadlan nga Cum Laude.

Bitbit ang iya mga natun-an sa NISU Estancia kag eksperyensya bilang bata sang mangingisda, nagkuha si Aleanna sang October 2026 Fisheries Professionals Licensure Exam.

Sa paggwa sang resulta, si Aleanna ang ginhingadlan nga isa sa mga nakakuha sang ika-siyam sa pinakamataas nga score sa pasinawan.

Pag-athag ni Aleanna, wala siya nagdumdom nga siya ang mangin topnotcher sa eksaminasyon bangud husto gid lang ang iya nangin preparasyon.

Para kay Aleanna, ang iya kadalag-an isa ka testimoniya sa kaalwan sang Diyos sa iya pamilya.

Ang sadto isa ka bata nga nagapaigo-igo lang sang balon para makatapos sa pagtuon, isa na Cum Laude kag Board Topnotcher sa karon.

Matapos ang iya nangin kadalag-an, nagpanugyan si Aleanna sa tanan nga pamatan-on nga indi mag-untat sa paghandum kag parisan sang paghimakas ang kada ambisyon agud magmadinalag-on. | JP Hervas, RP1

19/10/2026

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘄: BFAR 6 FSP Scholar from Carles, Iloilo, shares her academic journey after emerging as one of the top notchers during the recently concluded Fisheries Professional Licensure Exam. 🏆🐟 🏆🐟

𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗚. 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗼
Rank 9, FPLE 2026
School: Northern Iloilo State University -Main Campus
FSP category: Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG)

Continue the legacy of excellence and service!

17/10/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨 “𝐊𝐢𝐤𝐨” 𝐏. 𝐓𝐢𝐮 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐉𝐫.!

Nawa’y patuloy kayong pagkalooban ng mabuting kalusugan, lakas, at karunungan sa inyong pamumuno at paglilingkod para sa ikauunlad ng sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan sa ating bansa.

Taos-pusong pagbati sa inyong kaarawan mula sa DA-BFAR.

16/10/2026

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐒𝐃𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐃𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒, 𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐎, 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝟕 𝐒𝐀 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌; 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐌 𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋, 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐃 𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑

Wala nagpapierdi sa mga panghangkat sa kabuhi si Regie Pancho, isa ka mangingisda kag amay halin sa Carles, Iloilo, sa paglab-ot sang iya handum nga makatapos sa kolehiyo.

Sa pihak sang mga kabudlayan nga iya gin-agyan, si Regie nangin Rank 7 sa October 2026 Fisheries Professionals Licensure Exam.

Si Regie, graduate sang Bachelor of Science in Fisheries sa Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) Main Campus sa Estancia, nagpaambit nga wala niya ginhuna-huna nga mangin isa ka topnotcher sa ila eksaminasyon bangud para sa iya husto gid lang ang iya nangin preparasyon.

Isa sa pinakamabug-at nga panghangkat nga gin-atubang ni Regie ang pagpangita sang pondo para sa iya pag-eskwela samtang nagapangita sang paagi kon paano matindugan ang iya responsibilidad bilang padre de pamilya.

Maayo lang nangin tagbaton siya sang Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant, isa ka programa sang gobyerno nga gindisenyo agud buligan ang mga kabataan sang mga mangingisda nga makapadayon kag makatapos sa kolehiyo.

Bilang BFAR scholar, lakip sa mga benepisyo nga nabaton ni Regie sa sulod sang apat ka tuig ang bulanan nga stipend, mga allowance para sa libro kag uniporme, kag suporta para sa on-the-job training kag thesis.

Bisan nagatuon, wala ginbayaan ni Regie ang pagpangisda bangud ini ang iya salandigan agud makatipon sang pondo para sa kinahanglanon sang iya pamilya.

Ang iya bata nagserbe nga mayor niya nga inspirasyon sa pagpadayon sa pagtuon.

Suno kay Regie, wala nagsulod sa pinsar niya ang mag-untat bangud indi niya luyag nga maagyan sang iya bata ang iya nangin kabudlayan.

Dugang pa ni Regie, bisan indi Fisheries ang una niya nga ginhandum nga kurso, nagapasalamat siya sa Ginoo bangud ang iya eksperyensya bilang mangingisda nakabulig sa iya agud madasig nga mahangpan ang mga leksyon kag masabat ang mga pamangkot sa ila board examination.

Sa karon, ginatan-aw pa niya ang mga oportunidad nga nag-abot matapos ang iya kadalag-an bilang isa sa mga topnotcher.

Isa sa ginaplano ni Regie ang pagtrabaho sa BFAR para mabalusan ang kaayo nga gindala sang gobyerno sa iya kabuhi.

Nagpahanumdom naman si Regie sa mga pamatan-on nga nagahandum nga makatapos sa pag-eskwela apang naga-atubang sang kabudlayan sa kwarta ukon sa temprano nga responsibilidad sa pamilya nga indi madulaan sang paglaum, magpabilin nga positibo, hugton ang pagtuo, kag padayon nga maghimakas para sa handum.

“Tinguha gid nga makagraduate, bisan ano kabudlay,dapat antuson gid. Indi gid madulaan sang pag-asa. Pray lang kay God, pray lang tanan.”, ang pahanumdom ni Regie. | JP Hervas, RP1

16/10/2026

𝟭𝟮𝗞 𝗧𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮. 𝗔𝗻𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝗺

Estancia, Iloilo – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office VI (DA-BFAR 6) with the Estancia Local Government Unit representative, barangay officials, and fisherfolk released 12,000 tilapia fingerlings at Brgy. Sta. Ana Dam on October 16 under the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) program.

The Sta. Ana Dam is a 1.5-hectare, small water impounding project (SWIP) developed in 2010.

Barangay Captain Erlina S. Jandonero, 63, said the project is a big help to the livelihood of fisherfolk and farmers in the community.

“Dako ang bulig sa pangabuhi sang mga fisherfolk kag farmers diri sa barangay. May dala lang sila nga bunit, sa sulod sang duha ka oras or less, may ipuli na sila nga pang-sud-an,” Handonero said.

She said freshwater fish put a variety of dishes on local tables, among them lagpang nga puyo and other batwan-based dishes and ginataang tilapia.

“Ari man lang ako diri gani akon ini protektahan,” Handonero said and added that residents are ready to protect the dam and its resources.

As part of the BASIL program, 5,500 freshwater prawn (ulang) were also released beforehand, and 200 fruit trees were planted around the area. Soon the construction of a brush park, which will serve as fish habitat and shelter, will also begin.

BASIL, formerly the National Inland Fisheries Enhancement Program (NIFEP), is a nationwide BFAR program that rehabilitates and restores the physical condition of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. It is implemented with support from LGUs and fisherfolk associations. Its components include reforestation of buffer zones with freshwater-thriving trees, clearing or de-silting, establishment of brush parks, and stocking of freshwater fish.

In 2024, BASIL activities in Iloilo were carried out in Buwang SWIP in Lambunao, with restocking in Alapasco Dam in Batad and Potolan SWIP in Di**le. In 2025, San Dionisio received tilapia fingerlings and two brush parks, while San Rafael received a new batch of tilapia fingerlings for restocking. # # #�

16/10/2026

𝗗𝗔-𝗕𝗙𝗔𝗥 𝟲 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗚𝗨𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

ILOILO CITY – Coastal local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas were reminded that coral transplantation is a last-resort management measure, with environmental, legal, and economic implications, during an orientation held by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office VI (DA-BFAR 6) on October 15.

Representatives from selected LGUs, provinces, and Bureau personnel attended the session at the DA-BFAR 6 Conference Room, PFDA Compound, Tanza Bay-bay, Iloilo City.

The orientation was not meant to encourage LGUs to undertake coral transplantation, which is allowed only for research purposes.

Rather, it aimed to give local stakeholders a clear grasp of coral biology, the ecological implications of transplantation, and the regulations governing such coastal initiatives.

“It is important to have data reports, if possible, publication,” said Dr. Erwin E. Ilaya, chief of the Fisheries Management, Regulatory, and Enforcement Division (FMRED). “That is why BFAR initiated this orientation regarding coral transplantation because we need to have documentation and strict adherence to our rules and regulations and Fisheries Administrative Orders.”

Dr. Ilaya also underscored the value of coral reefs among the region’s marine ecosystems. “We know about mangroves, seagrasses, and corals. And corals are the most diverse among the three. We need to continue to protect them, especially the corals,” he said.

Maria Aimee A. Sobrevega, officer-in-charge of the Fisheries Resource Management Section (FRMS) and the Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) in Iloilo, said LGUs must have a proper foundation and science-backed knowledge before considering any coral transplantation in their coastal waters.

Bureau personnel Sheena Marie Piso and Byron C. Batay served as resource speakers.

The activity ended with an open forum on local marine management issues, reinforcing a shared vision of healthy, resilient, and self-sustaining coral reefs across the region.

For more information, you may contact the Bureau’s FMRED office through [email protected]. # # # JSArmada