14 V. RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATIONS AND FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS Government programs and initiatives related to small-scale fisherfolks National government agencies with mandates linking to the delineation of municipal waters and protection of the rights of small-scale fisherfolks were invited to present their current programs and activities. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) The Chief of the Capture Fisheries Division of BFAR, Mr. Rafael V. Ramiscal, discussed the four (4) elements of the National Fisheries Program.87 • Fisheries Development Programs - Improving the capacity and sustaining fisherfolk livelihood and contribution to fish supply and food security. This includes provisions for material and equipment • Fisheries Regulatory and Enforcement Program - Enforcing and promoting enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations; enhancing fisheries management for sustainable use of fisheries resources in the Philippine waters and beyond. • Fisheries Extension Program - Provides services to the sector in support of achieving sustainability and security, including capacity building, technology transfer and related technical services and culturing partnerships in the sector. • Fisheries Policy Program – Formulation and implementation of policies for the protection and management of fishery and aquatic resources. This also includes review and consultations with regards to policies in place. Chief Ramiscal continued his presentation by highlighting some of the development programs that they have implemented for the different segments of the sector. For capture fisheries,88 their regional offices have provided fishing and paraphernalia (e.g. marine engines, gill nets, hand lines, fish and crap pots, fish traps, squid jigger, etc.)89 based on the needs of the community. They have also distributed fiberglass boats through their “F/B Pagbabago” program which seeks to upgrade the capacity and efficiency of small scale fisherfolks. This includes training on fabrication of Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats, livelihood (cash for work scheme), and skills training. FRP boats seek to replace old, dilapidated wooden boats in order for fisherfolks to better sustain their livelihood. BFAR claims these boats are sturdier, climate-proof, and “unsinkable.”90 The BFAR has also said that they plan to improve not only the quality, but also the size of the boats. They are looking into provision of 62-footer boats for small-scale fishers which will increase their efficiency because they would be able to use better gear for fishing in municipal waters. The program aims to not only improve fishing efficiency of artisanal fisherfolk, but also provide better access to coastal fish resources and beyond, and to promote fisher groups and cooperatives. 91 BFAR has also initiated a program involving fabrication and distribution of Payao.92 The fish aggregating device seeks to improve the efficiency of fisherfolks by installation of Payao in municipal 87 Consultations with NGAs, supra note 40 88 Capture fisheries is defined as the exploitation of aquatic organisms without stocking the seed. (i.e the fish are captured naturally in rivers, seas, lakes, etc. without replacing the captured fish with new stocks) www.idconline.com/technical_references/pdfs/chemical_engineering/Capture_of_Fisheries.pdf 89 Consultations with NGAs, supra note 40 90 Ibid 91 Ibid 92 Payao is a fish aggregating device, traditionally made of bamboo rafts, that would attract fish to the surface where they could be caught using handline. In this way, only fishermen would spare the smaller fish near the surface, which serve as food for the bigger fish occupying the bottom areas thus making this practice sustainable. www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/05/11/da-bfar-payaos-are-only-for-municipal-waters/