MMK national grand winner bags P30-M prize

By Marlon Atun

LEGAZPI City --- The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently handed the check for P30 million to the 2020 grand national winner for the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) program of the agency.

The municipal government of Prieto Diaz received the cash award during the awarding ceremony held at the municipal building of Prieto Diaz.

Present at the ceremony were key officials of BFAR Region 5 led by OIC Regional Director Ariel U. Pioquinto. Also present were officials of the LGU Prieto Diaz, former Mayor and now Provincial Board Member Benito Doma, Vice Mayor Domalaon,Sangguniang Bayan members Albert Destura, Alice Emano, Florence Detecio, Bienvenido Ayo Jr., Luis Lee Espena Jr., and Juan Ebid.

KEY officials of BFAR in Bicol along with Prieto Diaz town officials, members of Bantay Dagat, and fisherfolk associations during the awarding ceremony.

Also present during the awarding were Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Charito Amor Lagadia, Municipal Accountant Melanie Sol and Acting Municipal Treasurer Gemma Ferrer, the members of Bantay Dagat, various fisherfolk associations and Judy Doma, a representative of DENR Sorsogon Provincial Office.

The P30 million will be used by Prieto Diaz to finance various projects intended to provide incentives and economic aid to the fisher folks in the area in their continuous drive to a sustainable fisheries management.

An incentive-based program of BFAR, MMK is an awareness-raising program of the government that encourages better coastal local governance to boost economic development, social inclusion, and establish a sustainable excellent marine coastal management.

The awarding ceremony held in December 2022 was originally set in 2021 but was postponed due to the health restriction protocols brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. (PIA 5)