BFAR National Director Atty. Demosthenes Escoto handed over the symbolic key of leadership to Mr. Ramir Rendon, 2023 National Fisherfolk Director. In his turn-over speech, he emphasized the importance of the program for the fisherfolk leader who will symbolically serve and assume the role of the bureau’s Director to understand the day-to-day operations of the agency and witness the implementation and dissemination of the key programs of the agency.
 
“Umaasa po ako na sa pamamagitan ng programang ito ay higit na mapagtitibay ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng BFAR para sa ating mga mangingisda. Ang tagumpay ng programang ito ay nakasalalay sa pakikiisa ng ating ahensya, kaya’t hinihikayat ko po kayo na makilahok sa mga nakahandang aktibidad para sa ating Mangingisdang Direktor.”
 
Atty. Escoto will also engage in community immersion to witness the different community concerns through exposure to real-life situations in fisherfolk communities.
 
Meanwhile, Mr. Rendon exchanged the symbolic wooden paddle to Atty. Escoto which symbolizes the life and challenges of a heroic fishermen to understand the life in a fisherfolk community. In his message, Mr. Rendon assured that he will do his best during his tenure in the bureau.
 
“Nawa po ay sa pamamagitan ng inyong mga gabay ay maayos ko pong maisasakatuparan ang lahat ng aking mga gampanin at mga iniatas na tungkulin dito sa bureau. Asahan rin po ninyo na hindi dito matatapos ang ating layunin na patuloy na isulong ang isang Maunlad at Masaganang Karagatan”, he said.
 
To formally start his duty as Fisherfolk Director, Mr. Rendon led the initial inauguration of FARMC Budyong—an online platform that will connect National FARMC with local FARMCs.
 
Anchored by the theme “Isang pagpupugay sa mga Mangingisdang Kabalikat sa Likas-Kayang Pag-unlad ng Pangisdaan”, Mangingisdang Direktor Program was launched to further dramatize and popularize the fishermen’s empowerment and participation as government partners.