The City and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (C/MFARMC) chairpersons and former Regional Fisherfolk Directors convened recently to elect the 2023 Regional Fisherfolk Director (RFD) and the National Fisherfolk Director (NFD) nominee.

Mr. Judith B. Castres, the 2022 Regional Fisherfolk Representative from Boston, Davao Oriental was elected as this year’s RFD for Davao Region. He will be acting as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources XI (BFAR XI) Regional Fisherfolk Director during the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month on May, 2023 and represent the fisherfolk community of the region in the various Bureau activities. Mr. Riel Abellana from the Island Garden City of Samal will be serving as the alternate RFD.

Moreover, Ms. Elsa C. Orjaliza of Lupon, Davao Oriental was chosen to be the representative of Davao Region as the National Fisherfolk Director Nominee along with Mr. Argie Lumibao as the alternate.

Orjaliza will be attending the National Fisherfolk Director Selection and Workshop in Metro Manila on March 29-April 1, 2023 and to be accompanied by FARMC Coordinator Cheyserr C. Belvis.

This program is in support to the advocacy of the Bureau towards fisherfolk empowerment. This provides an inclusive platform for fisherfolk leaders to have a glimpse of the government’s regular operations. Through this, they will be able to relate and address fisherfolk and fisheries-related concerns through BFAR’s programs, projects and activities.