Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – “Kapag maraming lambat ang nagkakaisa, mas maraming huli ang sabay-sabay na nakakamit (In unity, there is abundance – not just of fish or crops -but of opportunity, dignity and a future worth sailing toward)”, lifted from a Fisherfolk Proverbs, quipped Ms. Helen Eva Guzman, CY 2025 Mangingisdang Direktor in her Message of Gratitude during the culminating program of this year’s observance of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month anchored on the theme:  “Makabagong Magsasaka at Mangingisda,  Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas”, on June 02, 2025 at Robinsons Place, Tuguegarao City.

Capping of this year’s observance of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month, Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion said that the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has been championing the cause in advancing the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk as manifested in the policies and programs in promoting a sustainable and equitable future of the fisherfolk.

Recognizing Ms. Guzman’s stint as Mangingisdang Direktor for the whole month of May, RD Encarnacion stressed that her role made her experience and witnessed the Bureau’s office operations and its engagements to the fisherfolk through the various activities lined up in celebration of the occasion.

Meantime, one of the highlights of the program was the signing of Technology Licensing Agreement on Seaweed Value-Added Products with the Gonzaga Women in Fisheries Enterprise, represented by its Chairperson Sanny P. Cortez, granting the association non-exclusive, non-transferrable, royalty-free license to use the technology solely to develop, make, have made, offer for sale, sell, have sold, import, distribute within the Philippines.

Further, the fisheries Bureau also recognized staff who have shown their commitment and loyalty in serving the public with utmost dedication. At the same time, staff who have been a source of pride because of their academic and personal achievements were also recognized during the program. 

Present in the activity were Regional fisherfolk council of leaders, former fisherfolk directors, Babuyan Channel and Magat IFARMC officers, partner Local Government Units, guests, and DA-BFAR 2 staff.