CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Five outstanding fishpond operators in Pampanga were awarded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here recently for their efforts and contributions to the improvement of the fishing industry in the province.

The awardees were recognized during simple rites at the Benigno Aquino Hall here for their “significant contributions for the increased efficiency of the fishing industry and community service.”

Awarded as outstanding fishpond operators were Jake Joseph de los Santos of Lanang, Candaba town; Pepito Guina of Sta. Cruz, Magalang; Arnel Santos of La Paz, Magalang; Marlon Coronel of Cabangcalan, Floridablanca; and Ric Serrano of Lambac, Guagua.

The awardees received plaques of recognitions and shallow tube wells worth P70,000 each which they could use for the irrigations of fishponds in their communities.

Jimmy Manliclic, provincial fishery officer, said the winners were evaluated and assessed by the joint team of the BFAR regional office and the OPA fishery section.

The criteria used in the evaluation include farm efficiency, 30 percent; technical skills in fishpond operation, 20 percent; additional innovation, 20 percent; concern for the community and environment, 20 percent; and farm diversity and integration, 10 percent.

In a related development, in an effort to assist an estimated 20 fisherfolks who were severely affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the Pampanga provincial government turned over some 500,000 tilapia fingerlings worth more than P300,000 to backyard fishpond operators in six towns of the province.