A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) activity in Linapacan town in Palawan found that this coastal town is abundant with squid, a major fishery commodity for local fisherfolk, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Mimaropa region said in a statement.
The said activity likewise revealed that many of the community members in Linapacan town depend on capture fishing as their primary source of income.
“The findings will serve as a basis for developing livelihood proposals scheduled for implementation in 2025. In the meantime, capacity-building activities and specialized training will be conducted as part of the program’s ongoing social preparation component,” the BFAR Mimaropa said in a statement.
The five-day PRA conducted recently was part of the social preparation, the BFAR Mimaropa’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program Phase 2. SAAD is one of the Department of Agriculture’s flagship program, BFAR’s mother agency.
“Linapacan was included in the SAAD Phase 2 coverage in FY 2024, with program entry conducted that same year. Meanwhile, other social preparation activities are currently ongoing to lay the groundwork for targeted livelihood and food production support for the fisherfolk associations,” BFAR Mimaropa said in a statement.
Activities during PRA are significant in decision making and in identifying the necessary interventions for fisherfolk associations and their members, to help uplift their social and economic conditions.
“In the activity, fifteen (15) members from the Nurutan y ang Manegbila na Tagbanua ‘tong Barangay Pical (NYMTTBP) of Barangay Pical, the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Mangingisdang Nagmamalasakit sa Likas Yaman ng Brgy. Decabaitot (NSMNLYDECAB), and the Tarabidan y ang Mairentek na Manegpangisda sa Brgy. San Miguel (TMMBSM) participated. The activities included community mapping, seasonal trend and catch analysis, institutional relationship mapping, and resource flow diagramming, all aimed at enabling the fisherfolk to reflect on their environment, livelihood practices, and community dynamics,” BFAR Mimaropa further said.
