To lay the essential knowledge and groundwork for establishing a region-wide seaweed marketing cooperative in Eastern Visayas, regional and provincial cooperative organizing focals underwent a training on Cooperative Organizing last September 23–24, 2025 in Tacloban City

Mr. Wilfredo Fortes Fajardo, Chairman of the Fisherfolk Cooperatives Alliance of the Philippines, served as resource speaker discussed the current state of Philippine fisheries and the fisherfolk sector, highlighting how cooperativism and the role of cooperatives in fisheries development, management, and conservation can uplift the enterprise potential of fisherfolk groups in the region. The workshop also tackled the Cooperative Organizing Process, aiming to systematically transform model fisherfolk association-beneficiaries into registered fisherfolk cooperatives under the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program (EPSDP), Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Phase II Program, BFAR 8 regular programs, and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project.

During the activity, provincial fisherfolk cooperative organizers also crafted a detailed action plan for the formation and operationalization of cooperatives, including their legal, organizational, and financial frameworks. With a vision to develop seven (7) fisherfolk cooperatives particularly among seaweed farmer-beneficiaries, BFAR 8 in partnership with Local Government Units, will begin laying the groundwork together with model fisherfolk association-beneficiaries this third quarter of 2025.

To date, only eight (8 fisherfolk cooperatives in Eastern Visayas are registered under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). Through this initiative, BFAR 8 aims to transform one (1) in Dawahon Island and six (6) fisherfolk associations per province into fully registered cooperatives by 2025–2026, in line with the President’s vision of expanding the extension services of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and CDA for the faster delivery of aid and support to every province. Similarly supporting the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act which helps fisherfolk cooperatives by connecting them directly to institutional markets, securing better prices, and strengthening their role as organized suppliers in the agri-fishery value chain.