The ambits of the terror brought about by the pandemic also include the situation of FARMCs. The need to reorient the councils is a must to help them cope with the effects of this health crisis.

The Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division headed by Miss through FARMCs and in coordination with the Provincial Fisheries Office of respective office and LGUs facilitated the series of Re-orientation and Re-organization of the council in the following City/Municipalities namely Boston, and Banaybanay in Davao Oriental; Maco, Mabini, and Pantukan in Davao de Oro; Tagum City and Carmen in Davao del Norte; Digos City, Malalag, and Padada in Davao del Sur; Sta. Maria, and Malita in Davao Occidental for the whole month of September.

The recently concluded activity was attended by the Committee Chairman for Fisheries of the Sangguniang Bayan as well as Vice Mayor of Sta. Maria Hon. Josephine ”Joyce” Mariscal.

The levels of development of each FARMC were assessed and the functions of the officers were emphasized for them to be reminded of their roles. They were also given the format of their Implementing Rules and Regulations to have a model for their organization.

There will be schedules for the reorientation of the remaining FARMCs in the region this October.

Purposely, this is to institutionalize major participation of the local fisherfolk and other resource users in the community-based planning and implementation of policies and programs for management, conservation, development and protection, FARMCs has to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and guided to be empowered. (IEC)