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Daniel Alfonso N. Atayde, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Logistics, alongside Roberto T. Perales, DA Regional Executive Director, officials from the DA Regional Field Office XII, Province of Cotabato personnel, and the Local Government Unit of Kabacan, visited the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Mindanao Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (MFFTC) on February 11, 2025 at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Kabacan, Cotabato.
The visit aimed to discuss the progress and challenges of the DA’s Cold Storage Expansion Project and explore opportunities to enhance fisheries and aquaculture development in the region.
USM officials to wit, Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Development, Dr. Glyn G. Magbanua, the Director for Extension, and Prof. Bryan Lloyd P. Bretaña, Executive Assistant for International Affairs, welcomed the delegation.
During the meeting, the group revisited the 1997 Memorandum of Agreement between USM and BFAR, emphasizing the need to revitalize their partnership to address pressing issues in the fisheries sector. Further, Atayde highlighted the importance of expanding cold storage facilities to support local fisherfolk and improve the region’s food security. He also proposed exploring value-added opportunities, such as processed fish products and the cultivation of alternative species like crayfish, to diversify income sources for local communities. In addition, Atayde emphasized the need for entrepreneurship training programs to empower fisherfolk and enhance their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Kabacan Mayor Hon. Evangeline Guzman and BFAR officials focused the discussion on the center’s current operations, challenges, and potential areas for collaboration.
The collaboration between DA, BFAR, and USM is expected to pave the way for innovative solutions that will benefit the region’s fisheries and aquaculture industries. These agricultural industries, together with USM, look forward to address the challenges faced by agricultural stakeholders and ensure the effective implementation of programs that promote sustainable aquatic practices and rural development.
