TUBOD, Lanao del Norte — The Panguil Bay Development Council convened on September 18 at Kalimudan Hall to assess its accomplishments and chart new plans for the sustainable management of Panguil Bay’s coastal areas.
The meeting brought together the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), led by Regional Director Edward Yasay, mayors of coastal municipalities in Lanao del Norte, municipal agriculturists (MAOs), and representatives from Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Sur.
During the discussions, the council emphasized the need to safeguard Panguil Bay’s marine resources and biodiversity. Officials reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthen coastal protection, improve resource management, and coordinate programs that support communities dependent on the bay.
BFAR-10 presented its ongoing Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRE) Project under Fisheries Management Area 9 (FMA-9), which aims to provide alternative livelihoods for fisherfolk affected by the seasonal fishing ban. Organized fisherfolk groups may access financial support through expressions of interest filed with BFAR via their MAOs. Groups with 15 to 99 members may qualify for up to ₱3 million in funding, while those with 100 members or more may avail of up to ₱5 million.
The council stressed that consolidating accomplishments and aligning ongoing initiatives across member-provinces would create a stronger, unified approach to protecting the bay. Council members assured stakeholders that sustaining Panguil Bay’s ecosystem remains a top priority, both to secure the livelihood of fisherfolk and to preserve the ecological balance of the region.