DA-BFAR IX CAPACITATES 46 FISHERFOLK BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE BALIK SIGLA SA ILOG AT

LAWA (BASIL) PROGRAM

Last August 25, 2021, BFAR IX’s Bagalupa Freshwater Fish Hatchery (BFFH) conducted a Capacity
Building and Planning Workshop on Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) Project at Barangay
Parasan, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur spearheaded by Mr. Romeo E. De Guzman with the support of
Mr. Marlon B. Dagandan, BASIL Regional Focal Person. The event was opened with a warm
welcome remarks delivered by Parasan Barangay Captain Hon. Wellie Cabasag while Municipal
Agriculturist Mr. Elmer M. Ollanas gave his inspirational message to the participants. Molave
Municipal Mayor Hon. Cyril Reo A. Antipuesto expressed his heartfelt support to the said activity
and stated some updates on the status of the municipality in this trying times of COVID19
pandemic.

Topics discussed during the seminar-wokshop included the following with the respective resource
speakers: (1) Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) Program: Towards Sustainable Fisheries
Management of Philippine Lakes and Reservoirs presented by Mr. Romeo E. De Guzman, Senior
Aquaculturist; (2) Guidelines for the implementation of the BASIL Program by Ms. Joyce E. Dacula;
(3) Review on Municipal Fisheries Law by Mr. Raffy Adeltone N. Tan, Aquaculturist II; (4)
Presentation of Success Story of Dagatan Lake by Mr. Samuel C. Amparo, Technical Aide.

After capacitating the participants, the BFFH team proceeded to organize the Parasan Fisherfolk
Association which has forty-six (46) active members. The association, represented by their elected
President Mr. Artemio J. Capilitan, will constitute as the direct beneficiaries of the BASIL project.
Afterwards, the BFAR trainers continued with the presentation of next-step activities, to wit: (1)
Habitat Restoration: Clearing of aquatic weeds, macrophytes, debris and etc. along the embankment
of the river and rehabilitation of buffer zone through the conduct of tree-planting; (2)
Establishment of monitoring station; and (3) Fishery Stock Enhancement: through
stocking/seeding of bigger size fingerlings preferably indigenous species. The meeting concluded
with a closing remarks rendered by Mr. Romeo E. De Guzman, Senior Aquaculturist.