BFAR Dinagat Islands Provincial Fishery office inaugurated

By Susil D. Ragas

DINAGAT ISLANDS, July 4 (PIA) -- In a bid to broaden its reach to the provinces and to bring the government closer to the people, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) extends its services in Dinagat Islands with the opening of a provincial office in the province. 

The Dinagat Islands Provincial Fishery Office, which is a 2-storey building worth P3 million and located at Purok 2, Barangay Don Ruben, San Jose, was formally opened and inaugurated on Wednesday, July 3, 2013. 

Leading the ribbon-cutting and unveiling of marker were BFAR National Director Atty. Asis G. Perez, Provincial Human Resource Officer Elvis de la Merced in behalf of Governor Glenda B. Ecleo, BFAR Caraga Regional Director Nerio G. Casil and Don Ruben Barangay Captain Hon. Thelma A. Rosillo, assisted by BFAR Caraga Asst. Regional Director Judith C. Rojas, Provincial Administrator Millard Tawakal, DOST Provincial Director Nancy Charcos and DENR-13 RTD Mario Eludo. 

Perez, in his message, lauded the local government unit of Dinagat Islands especially to Governor Glenda B. Ecleo for the full support particularly by donating a parcel of land that paveway for the construction of the said building. 

Perez said that the presence of provincial fisheries office within the province will allow the fisherfolks to easily deal with and seek assistance from the regional and national office. 

“The building is also a testament of BFAR’s commitment to the people of Dinagat Islands,” he added. 

Meanwhile, in behalf of Dinagat islands Gov. Glenda B. Ecleo, PHRM Officer Elvis de la Merced thanked BFAR for bringing the fishery office closer to the people of Dinagat Islands and for uplifting the economic condition of the fisherfolks and the fisheries sector of the province. 

Caraga Regional Director Nerio G. Casil said the PFO will be manned by eight fishery personnel, "who will mainly be tasked to facilitate and to oversee the fisheries projects and programs and provide immediate assistance to the needs of the fisherfolks." 

He said fisherfolks in Dinagat Islands do not have to travel to Surigao City for their fisheries needs and assistance. (FEA/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)