BFAR XI Director Raul Millana was joined by esteemed dignitaries in a simple ceremony on Friday, September 22, 2023, to mark the culmination of the 60th Fisheries Conservation Week, an annual event dedicated to promoting the preservation of fisheries and aquatic resources.

Presidential Assistant Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, in his address, underscored the critical importance of collaboration among the national government, local government units, academe, and the private sector to ensure food security and the sustainable management of our fisheries and aquatic resources. He assured all those present of the continued support from the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao in the endeavor of fisheries conservation.

BFAR XI Director Raul Millana expressed his commitment to continuing essential programs that support fisherfolk, acknowledging their resilience and dedication, which ultimately leads to increased fisheries productivity and economic growth.

The ceremony featured a series of prestigious awards and recognitions for stakeholders:

Gawad Pagkilala Regional Level was conferred upon the Local Government Unit of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, received by Honorable Mayor Juanito Inojales. The Local Government Unit of the City of Mati, Davao Oriental, was similarly recognized, and the award was received by Honorable Mayor Michelle Marie Denise Rabat.

Cleto L. Naῆola Jr., Ph.D., of the Coral Reef Resiliency and Ecology Studies Laboratory – University of the Philippines Mindanao, and Dir. Lea Angsinco-Jimenez, Ph.D., of the Davao Oriental State University-Regional Integrated Coastal Resource Management Center, were honored with Gawad Pagkilala Regional Level awards.

Gawad Pasasalamat Regional Level was presented to the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao.

Lawig-Diwa Incorporated received the prestigious Gawad Pagpapahalaga Awardee, accepted by its founder, Rey Mudjahid “Kublai” Ponce-Millan, and Executive Director Stella Estremera.

Plaques of Recognition were presented to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority XI, the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI, the Department of Labor and Employment XI, and the Municipality of Boston, Davao Oriental.

Certificates of Recognition were awarded to several deserving recipients, including Judith B. Castres as the Regional Fisherfolk Representative, and several City and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (C/MFARMC) in the region for achieving high levels of development. The lone awardee for Level 5 FARMC Development was Lupon, Davao Oriental, some Level 4 FARMC Development awardees were Mati City and Banaybanay in Davao Oriental, and Davao City, and the lone awardee for Level 3 FARMC Development the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Special Recognition was bestowed upon private sector partners, namely: EGO Fishing, DJB Fishing, and DYL Fishing, for their invaluable contributions to the fisheries sector.

The ceremony also featured posthumous recognition to five departed BFAR XI employees, namely Marlito Allawan, Bai Annie Abdulrasid, Manuel Aratan, Anthony Gonzales, and Antolin Bongcawel, Jr., Ph.D. acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the bureau.

The event, symbolizing unity and collective effort, reaffirmed the importance of partnerships with various agencies and stakeholders committed to fisheries conservation efforts.