CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has awarded a financial assistance worth P25 million to finance the implementation of the development of the province’s “mariculture” and “aqua” tourism projects in Lanao del Norte province, it was learned Thursday.

The financial assistance for the fishery projects is a big boost to the fishing industry in Lanao del Norte and also gives added income to local residents.

The awarding ceremony was held at the provincial capitol in Tubod town, the province’s seat of government, participated in by top provincial, agriculture and BFAR officials.

The BFAR assistance is in compliance with Republic Act 8550 known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 which mandated the BFAR to develop, manage and conserve the fisheries and aquatic resources including the improvement and productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits.

Lanao del Norte is now identified as the fishing capital province of Northern Mindanao.

The provincial government continues to be committed to the conservation and development of the province’s aquaculture resources and remains to be a strong ally of BFAR in the alleviation of the economic conditions in the coastal areas in this part of the region and neighboring areas, Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo said.

“My vision is to make this province to be globally competitive in aquaculture industry,” he said.

Furthermore, the establishment of the Lanao del Norte Mariculture and Aqua Tourism Project in the province is a government initiative to provide support to the fisheries sector primarily the ordinary fisherfolk through appropriate technology and research, manage fisheries and aquatic resources in a manner consistent with the concept of an integrated coastal area management in line with the policies of the national government, the provincial chief executive said.

BFAR as an implementing agency for fisheries through Northern Mindanao Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimerin of BFAR funded the livelihood projects for the fishing communities in the province.

Among the identified coastal towns in the province that are already engaged in fishing are Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Tubod, Kolambugan, Maigo, Baroy, Lala, Kapatagan, Bacolod, Kauswagan and Linamon.

The livelihood assistance is the materialization of BFAR’s commitment to tie up with the LGUs to effectively carry out its goal in providing and extending support to the fishing communities throughout Lanao del Norte.