In a bid to empower Filipino fisherfolk and assert the country’s presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), in full support of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), officially launched the Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) Program at Buliluyan Port in Bataraza, Palawan on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

The KBBM Program, which will directly benefit close to a thousand Filipino fisherfolk in the WPS, serves as a strategic convergence of national efforts to uplift the livelihood of fisherfolk and ensure the nation’s food security. Through this program, the government-funded fish carrier MV Mamalakaya is deployed with buyers on board, ready to purchase the fresh catch of Filipino fishermen directly at sea, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing income for local fishers.

In addition, fisherfolk will benefit from fuel and ice subsidies, enabling them to continue fishing activities in the WPS amid operational and environmental challenges.

Attended by key officials from DA-BFAR and PCG, along with fisherfolk communities, the event underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration and community-driven solutions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive and equitable growth.

BFAR National Director Elizer S. Salilig reaffirmed in his message, “Our fisherfolk have long been at the frontlines—navigating not just the waves of the sea, but also the challenges of climate change, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and foreign incursions in the West Philippine Sea.”

“With the KBBM Program, they are now suitably positioned to face these challenges. More than an economic intervention, KBBM is a statement of support and recognition. Our fisherfolk are not just workers of the sea—they are caretakers of marine ecosystems, pillars of food security, and defenders of our maritime domain,” he added.

The KBBM Program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of strengthening domestic fish supply while promoting a whole-of-nation approach to protecting and maximizing the country’s maritime resources.

As the WPS continues to play a crucial role in national security and food sovereignty, the KBBM Program stands as a beacon of resilience, unity, and forward-looking governance encouraging more Filipinos to reclaim their rightful place in these waters and secure a better future for the nation’s fisheries sector.