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Archives (2000)

1st national fisherfolk day celebration by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon

April-June 2000 Volume 2 No. 2

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Fisherfolk Basic Sector Council, celebrated the first National Fisherfolk Day last May.

Fishery sector accounts for 4.4% of the GDP

The National Fisherfolk Day will be held in recognition of the fisherfolk sector's contribution to the government's national program on food security and poverty eradication, particularly in the rural fishing communities. It is also in recognition of the sector's contribution to the overall national economic development.

The country produces 2.1 million metric tons of fishery products a year. This accounts for 18% of gross agricultural production. Fishery products also contribute at least 4.4% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The annual event is celebrated every 31 May.

Through a resolution drafted in early-1999, local chief executives of coastal municipalities called for the holding of a National Fisherfolk Day in recognition of their role in sustainable development and management of the fishing communities and the country's vast coastal and ocean resources.

All government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and -controlled corporations, the private sector and other institutions directly or indirectly linked to the fishery sector are called by the DA to participate in the celebration and extend necessary assistance for the said event.