‘Fishery projects successful, but behavior problems remain a challenge’ - BFAR Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – “The SAAD projects for farmers in the province have been largely successful, but the behavior or values of others remain a problem. Saan da i-value ti tulong, ken saan da ipapati nga paaduwen ti naited kaniada,” said Provincial Fishery Officer – Kalinga Joyce Docyugen.

The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) is a program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that seeks to reduce poverty incidence and activate local food production through livelihood assistance for marginalized Filipino farmers and fishers.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera this January 21, 2025, Docyugen relayed some of the success stories of those engaged in aquaculture and some issues which continue to impede improved production in the province.

In 2024, notable improvements were seen in the production of fish, although the last quarter of the year saw a decline due to the onslaught of the series of typhoons that affected the Cordilleras.  Nevertheless, the number of ponds and fisherfolk was not affected much. Data from BFAR showed that there are already 3,682 ponds for aquaculture owned by 3,317 fisherfolk in Kalinga as of November 2024, accounting for 70.234 hectares.

Docyugen related that while there are success stories like that of Jerome Wacdagan of Mangali, Tanudan and bernadeth Apaling of Dupag, Tabuk City, who increased their produce to almost triple from the time they started, there are still those who fail largely because of their values or behavior.

Docyugen said some farmers are too dependent on the “ayuda” from the government. In their interviews and observations, many fisherfolk and farmers in the province have the mindset to be looking for FREE feeds and dole outs for every cropping instead of preparing their own expenses for their next endeavor.

The BFAR Provincial Fishery Officer, nevertheless, looks forward to more success stories as they have made changes in the provision of aid. “Now, what we do is we group fisherfolk together, tapno diay tulong ket as one, ken diay monitoring is as one. The seed capital given, along with the assistance, shall be monitored. Saan to basta makawithdraw ti president ken Treasurer ti association ta adda coordinator nga kadwa da nga agpirma. Isu ti napasamak kadagiay daduma idi and isu met ti rason nga saan unay agtrabaho ti daduma,” explained Ducyogen.

To make sure of the productivity and positive result, Ducyogen said transactions and obligations of the beneficiaries of SAAD will be closely checked.