TUGUEGARAO CITY, May 9 (PIA)– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources recently installed Marlon Prado, a fisherfolk leader of Quirino province to be this year’s Regional Fisherfolk Director (RFD)pursuant to Department of Agriculture (DA) Special Order 88 dubbed as “Mangingisdang Director Para sa Mas MatatagnaBalikatan” or “Fisherfolk Director for a More Strengthened Partnership in Fisheries Management.”

Director Jovita P. Ayson of the fisheries bureau said as mandated in the Department Order, Prado will have a seat in the fisheries bureau to further dramatize and popularize fisherfolk empowerment and participation as government partners in fisheries development.

He shall assume the role and task of a BFAR Director in the implementation and dissemination of key programs of the agency for one month period. “This is one of the highlights of the celebration of Farmer’s and Fisherfolk Month,” Ayson said.

Prado in his speech during the turn-over of the key of responsibility said he is grateful that a mere fisherfolk like him was given the chance to be a part of the planning and implementation of fishery programs wherein he can also share a legacy to his fellow fisherfolk.

Prado, is a BS Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate at St. Louis University- Baguio City but prefers to be a fishpond operator. He is an active member of different fishery organizations in Quirino and presently the chairman of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic resources Management Council (MFARMC) of Cabarroguis, Provincial FARMC and the secretary of the Samahan ng Mamamayan sa Rehiyon at Local (SAMARAL) in the region.

Prado according to Ayson is expected to visit different research stations of the bureau to learn the operation of the fish production areas of BFAR and take the lead in the awarding of different fishery projects like fingerlings, fishing gears, post-harvest facilities, bancas and other fishery needs of the fisherfolk in the region.