Cordillera Administrative Region

During the inaugural year of Phase II, the program expanded its outreach to encompass all six provinces within the region: Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Abra. A total of 38 municipalities, 98 barangays, and 47 organizations benefited from the program, directly impacting the lives of 1,403 fisherfolk beneficiaries, of which 30 organizations were newly established. The selection of these beneficiaries was conducted based on comprehensive data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, focusing specifically on poverty incidence and income classification by municipality.

In 2023 alone, 38 livelihood projects were allocated to the 47 group beneficiaries. Each project unit included 1,000 fingerlings and nine bags of fish feed, tailored to support a 200 square meter area. Through the implementation of Tilapia in Ponds, fish pen, and fish cage projects, beneficiaries received aquaculture livelihood packages, which included fingerlings and feeds, as well as post-harvest inputs such as fishing nets, weighing scales, and crates.

Ilocos Region

The DA-BFAR SAAD Phase II Project delivered remarkable results in the Ilocos Region during 2023. This initiative empowered 360 Filipino fisherfolk across four provinces – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan – by establishing 20 thriving Fisherfolk Associations (FAs). The program focused on building sustainable livelihoods, not just providing short-term assistance. From June to December, these FAs received comprehensive training in tilapia farming and best aquaculture practices. Crucially, they also received the resources to put their knowledge into practice: tilapia fingerlings, feed, and harvesting tools. This ensured their success wasn’t dependent on external factors.

The project’s success is a direct result of strong collaboration. Provincial Fisheries Officers, SAAD Area Coordinators, and local government units (LGUs) provided continuous technical assistance and monitoring, ensuring project sustainability. The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) played a vital role, offering crucial insurance coverage. The ongoing support from agencies like PCIC promises continued growth and prosperity for these empowered fisherfolk.

Cagayan Valley

Cagayan Valley Region lies in the northeastern portion of Luzon. It is bounded by the Cordillera mountain range on the west, Sierra Madre on the east, Caraballo mountains on the south, and Luzon strait on the north. It is the second-largest region of the Philippines in terms of land area. Cagayan Valley Region is politically subdivided into five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

The BFAR SAAD Region 2 provided aquaculture and capture fisheries-related projects that serve as livelihood interventions for the beneficiaries in the region. The projects under Aquaculture benefitted six fisherfolk associations consisting of 203 members while the capture fisheries project benefitted one association which consists of 58 members. The provided Aquaculture livelihood intervention includes Tilapia Culture in Pond and Tilapia Culture in Fishcage and the livelihood intervention in Capture fisheries is the Provision of Fish Aggregating Device or Payao.

Central Luzon

Among the seven provinces in the region, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac were included for the program implementation. Specifically, the program was implemented in the municipality of Nampicuan in Nueva Ecija and municipalities of Ramos, San Clemente, and Anao in Tarlac. In the first year of implementation, BFAR 3 SAAD organized six associations—four in Tarlac and two in Nueva Ecija—comprising a total of 168 fisherfolk individuals. Additionally, BFAR 3 SAAD distributed six Food Production and Livelihood Intervention packages. These included one (1) fish vending equipment, two (2) tilapia culture in fishponds, and three (3) tilapia culture in fish pens.

In addition to the distributed interventions, BFAR 3 SAAD conducted 11 specialized training sessions. These included two (2) post-harvest training five (6) training on tilapia culture and management, and three (3) fish pen construction and net-mending training.
As the first year of implementation concludes, BFAR 3 SAAD looks forward to expanding the program to cater more associations within the covered municipalities.

CALABARZON

The CALABARZON region, also known as ‘Southern Tagalog’, is situated in the southern part of Metro Manila. It covers 5 provinces, including Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
The BFAR 4A Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program covers 4 municipalities in the 1st year of implementation out of 17 target municipalities in the 5-year span of the program.
Four (4) fisherfolk associations were awarded various types of livelihood interventions including fishing gears and accessories like traps, nets, longlines, hook and lines and jiggers, and post-harvest package which provided them additional income and resource fund for the operations of their organization.

Most of the covered municipalities are classified as coastal areas. The municipalities of Alabat and Quezon in Quezon Province are adjacent to major bodies of water, including Lopez Bay, Lamon Bay, and Calauag Bay; the municipality of Mabitac is bordered by Laguna de Bay in Laguna Province; and Tingloy, Batangas, is adjacent to Verde Island Passage, Batangas Bay, and Balayan Bay. These are also the major fishing grounds of the BFAR SAAD fisherfolk beneficiaries.

MIMAROPA

BFAR-SAAD MIMAROPA benefits from both inland and coastal ecosystems, supporting a wide range of commodities from finfish to invertebrates and seaweeds. Cajidiocan stands out with the most fishing grounds, producing species like Skipjack tuna and Mackerel scad. Calatrava also has diverse grounds, yielding high-value species like Groupers and Squid. Magdiwang, though with fewer fishing grounds, contributes to migratory species. Other municipalities such as Ferrol, San Andres, and San Jose have more moderate resources, emphasizing catches like Sardines and Parrot Fish. Cagayancillo and Balabac focus primarily on seaweed production, which supports regional aquaculture development.

The municipalities differ in fishery management: Cajidiocan and Sta. Fe allow year-round fishing, while Calatrava and Ferrol follow seasonal schedules, leveraging their coastlines and mangroves. Magdiwang, San Andres, and San Jose focus on organized farming and trade, with varied fishpond infrastructure. Balabac and Cagayancillo, despite limited fishponds and mangroves, maintain year-round fishing, particularly in seaweed farming.

Bicol Region

During Phase I (2018–2021), only three of the region’s six provinces—Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon—were included. In Phase II, the program has expanded to five provinces with the addition of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, extending its reach to a total of 35 group beneficiaries with 1186 individual member (928 male and 258 female).

In the first year of implementation (2023), food production and livelihood projects were provided to the fisherfolk association beneficiaries. Aquaculture and capture fisheries initiatives included milkfish culture in ponds, input assistance on techno demo project for Tilapia Culture, provision of fishing gears, fiberglass banca and units of shallow payao, and provision of post-harvest processing materials and equipment for fish processing.

Western Visayas

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program, has made significant successes in empowering fisherfolk and advancing responsible fishing practices across the region. It covers five provinces in Region 6: Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, encompassing 13 municipalities, including 4 upland, 8 coastal, and 1 island locality. It supports 14 fisherfolk groups (11 organized and 3 newly formed), benefitting 381 individuals, with over 24 million pesos allocated for social preparation, food production, livelihood and enterprise development, and program management.

SAAD’s aquaculture initiatives include fish culture in tanks, seaweed farming, integrated demonstration farms, aquasilviculture, and tilapia culture, all paired with comprehensive training. For capture fisheries, projects feature multiple handline fishing, squid jiggers, gillnets, otoshi-ami support, fishing gear fabrication, crab stock enhancement, and shallow water payao. Post-harvest support includes fishery kits, snack carts, trading and vending initiatives, fish drying, and multi-purpose fishery centers.

Central Visayas

The SAAD program was introduced in the region in the year 2017, with Negros Oriental as the initial beneficiary province. The program then expanded in 2018 in the province of Siquijor and further extended its reach to Bohol in 2019, ensuring a broader coverage and impact within the region.
In the year 2023, the SAAD program entered its second phase of implementation, extending its reach even further by incorporating Cebu as an additional province.

The fisheries sector in Central Visayas is vital for local livelihoods and food security but faces significant challenges due to production declines, environmental factors, and regulatory issues. Ongoing efforts by BFAR and local government units to promote sustainable practices and support fisherfolk are essential for revitalizing the sector and ensuring its long-term viability.

Eastern Visayas

Eastern Visayas, covering over 2.1 million hectares, includes the islands of Leyte and Samar, forming the country’s eastern coastline. Bordered by the Philippine Sea, Visayan Seas, and Bohol Sea, it is a region with rich marine resources and a population of over 4.5 million as of 2020. Agriculture and fishing are vital sources of income here, with a diverse fishery sector contributing significantly to local livelihoods. Key fishing areas include Leyte Gulf and the Visayan Sea, producing commodities like milkfish, seaweed, and tuna. However, poverty remains prevalent, with over 20% of families below the poverty line, while fishery production declined by 17.66% in late 2022 due to reduced municipal and aquaculture yields.

In 2023, DA-BFAR’s SAAD Phase 2 allocated PHP 59.71 million to boost sustainable fisheries in marginalized communities. The program supported 1,938 fisherfolk in 58 municipalities through aquaculture, capture fisheries, and post-harvest projects, including milkfish, tilapia, and seaweed farming, as well as fishing gear provision to enhance livelihoods and promote sustainable development.

Zamboanga Peninsula

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2 in Zamboanga Peninsula supports 9 municipalities across the region, including 5 landlocked and 4 coastal areas. These include Josefina, Sominot, Tigbao, and Vincenzo Sagun in Zamboanga del Sur; La Libertad, Mutia, Rizal, and Sibutad in Zamboanga del Norte; and Talusan in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The BFAR IX SAAD program has provided fish farmers’ associations with various livelihood assistance, including Tilapia fingerlings, commercial feeds, fishing gear, materials for boat fabrication, marine engines with complete underwater fittings, and insulated fish coolers. These initiatives have enhanced fish production, improved fishing efficiency, and boosted the incomes of the beneficiaries.

Northern Mindanao

Under Phase 2, eight livelihood projects focused on aquaculture and capture fisheries were implemented, mobilizing 41 organized groups with 1,070 members to enhance resource sharing and collective action, while also providing 35 specialized training sessions to equip beneficiaries with essential skills in sustainable fishing practices and business management.
In addition to that, the program also supported 943 individual beneficiaries by tailoring assistance to diverse community needs, empowering them to improve their livelihoods while contributing to overall community development.
Through effective program management, BFAR-10 SAAD focuses on the implemented projects and ensures that efficient resource allocation and regular impact assessments are provided to address food security and economic stability while fostering resilience among vulnerable populations for a brighter future in the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Davao Region

Davao Region is located on the southeastern coast of Mindanao and features a diverse marine ecosystem. The region comprises five provinces: Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro. The region’s aquatic resources, particularly within Davao Gulf, are abundant, playing an essential role in the local fishing sector. However, some communities within the region are still categorized as 2nd and 3rd class municipalities.
In 2023, the BFAR-SAAD Program Phase 2 was implemented, targeting these 2nd and 3rd class municipalities with the goal of contributing to poverty reduction and improving the living conditions of vulnerable fisherfolk. The program provides sustainable livelihood opportunities and support to poor fishing sectors across ten (10) municipalities from the provinces of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Sur.

SOCCSKSARGEN

Fishing is one of the key economic activities in Region XII, contributing to local communities’ food security and income generation. Small-scale fisheries thrive along the coastlines and inland areas, with various species of fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic resources being harvested. Aquaculture, particularly fish farming, is also prominent, including the cultivation of tilapia, bangus (milkfish), and prawns.
Despite its natural advantages, the region’s fishing communities face various challenges. These include overfishing, environmental degradation, lack of access to modern technology, and limited capital to sustain and grow their operations. Many small-scale fishers need more knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices to improve their yields and incomes.
The SAAD program addresses critical gaps in the region’s fishery sector through capacity-building initiatives, provision of fishing equipment, and livelihood projects. Beneficiaries, including coastal and inland fisherfolk, are given the means to adopt sustainable fishing practices, enhance their aquaculture ventures, and diversify their income streams. This approach is designed not only to improve immediate income but also to build long-term resilience for communities.

Caraga Region

As one of the implementing offices of the Special Area for Agricultural Development Program Phase II Program, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Caraga region is committed to ensuring the program’s successful execution.
In the program’s Phase I implementation (2019–2021), only two of the five provinces—Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur—were included. In the second phase, all five provinces are now involved, with the addition of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Norte, encompassing 32 municipalities, 46 barangays, and 52 group beneficiaries.
In 2023, 11 types of livelihood interventions, totaling 53 projects, were provided to fisherfolk associations. Aquaculture efforts included milkfish and tilapia cultures in various settings, a seaweed farm, a lobster nursery, and fish polyculture. Two fish-processing projects supported women-led groups. Capture fisheries initiatives involved distributing shallow water fish aggregating devices and motorized fiberglass boats.