By Mariela Angella Oladive
The San Joaquin United Fishermen Cooperative received a major boost to its fishing operations with the turnover of a 62-foot fiberglass-reinforced plastic tuna handline fishing boat from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The boat was provided under the DA-BFAR’s Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolk Program.
According to the bureau, the vessel was officially turned over following the signing of a memorandum of agreement and a blessing ceremony at the Community Fish Landing Center in San Joaquin.
The event was attended by local officials and fisherfolk representatives, including cooperative chair Benjamin Imbang and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council chair Ely Sercidillo.
“We are very proud because, in the entire province of Iloilo, San Joaquin is the only one selected for this project,” Sercidillo said in his welcome message.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to enhance the livelihood of municipal fisherfolk in coastal communities by providing modern, sustainable fishing equipment.
Along with San Joaquin, the program has benefitted five other coastal towns: Hamtic and Libertad in Antique, Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental, Nueva Valencia in Guimaras, and Malay in Aklan.
DA-BFAR Region 6 Director Remia Aparri highlighted the importance of combining responsible fishing practices with modern technology.
“Let us remember that a prosperous fishing industry is not just about modern equipment, but also about taking care of our oceans,” she said, encouraging sustainable practices to preserve marine resources.
The 62-foot boat, equipped with advanced handline fishing technology, will enable San Joaquin’s 1,816 registered fisherfolk to venture farther offshore.
This is expected to improve catch quality and reduce post-harvest losses.
It will also enhance the competitiveness of the local fishing industry in the market.
Imbang expressed gratitude to DA-BFAR for the timely and much-needed support.
Mayor Ninfa Garin also thanked the national government and emphasized the importance of protecting San Joaquin’s natural resources, including its seas and mountains.
San Joaquin, a first-class municipality with 22 coastal barangays, contributes 6.05% or 942.48 metric tons to Iloilo’s total fisheries production.
The new boat is expected to strengthen local fishing capacity, promote economic growth, and support the long-term sustainability of the fishing sector in the region.
