TUGUEGARAO CITY – The DA- BFAR 2 welcomed newly installed Mangingisdang Direktor for CY 2025 as it officially opened this year’s celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolk Month themed: “Pilipinong Mangingisda: Buhay na Bayani sa Bagong Pilipinas” on May 5, 2025 at Robinsons Place, Tuguegarao City.

The month of May was declared Farmers and Fisherfolk Month to recognize the valuable contributions of farmers and fisherfolk as backbone of the country’s food security signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino in March 21, 1989.

Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion, said that the activity is a festival wherein everyone come together to celebrate and give thanks for the bountiful harvest. Further, he said that he was captivated by the slogan written in the statement shirt worn by fisherfolk-leaders wherein three powerful words (empowerment, stronger partnership and inclusive governance) were highlighted in the theme.

Meantime, Mr. Alexander M. Agra, 72, Fisherfolk Regional Director in 2014, who gave a keynote address said that one of the notable lessons he acquired in his engagements with the sector is the spirit of “Balikatan” or partnership towards the development of the fisheries industry.

Agra also served as the National Fisherfolk Director in 2018 and served as chairperson of the Babuyan Channel IFARMC and as Regional Fisherfolk Representative to the national level for six years.

As one of the highlights of today’s event was the installation of Mangingisdang Direktor Helen Eva Guzman, 55, an empowered woman and an active partner of the Bureau’s resource conservation and law enforcement initiatives.

Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion joined former Fisherfolk Regional Director Fred Bisquera of Nueva Vizcaya in turning over the key of responsibility to his successor who will assume the role of Mangingisdang Direktor for the whole month of May as mandated under the Department of Agriculture Special Order No. 88, a move to further dramatize and popularize fisherfolk empowerment and participation as government partners and draw awareness on the vital role of farmers and fisherfolk as backbone in the government’s poverty alleviation program.

The fisheries Bureau also awarded a Plaque of Appreciation to the members and crew of the DA-BFAR MMOV 5002 Francisco Dagohoy as one way of recognizing the support of the Philippine Coast Guards manning the vessel, headed by Capt. Jane G. Gesulgon, Commanding Officer in its law enforcement efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities along Philippine Waters.

The kick-off ceremony was attended by esteemed partners from the Philippine Information Agency, Commission on Human Rights, provincial government units of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Batanes (virtual), fisherfolk-leaders, former fisherfolk directors and other guests.