Mr. Cyril Dela Peña Pallado was the newly elected Regional Fisherfolk Director held on May 5, 2023 at the Regional Freshwater and Aquaculture Production Center (RFAPC) in Babatngon, Leyte
“Hihimu-on ko kun ano an akon kaya mahimo hin waray ginhuhulat nga kabalyo para ha akon kalugaringon basta matagan la hin sadang nga bulig an akon igkasi-parupangisda.” ( I will do the best that I can without asking for anything in return for myself, for as long as my co-fisherfolks will have the help they need the most.) This was the oath of the newly elected Regional Fisherfolk Director (RFD) Mr. Cyril Dela Peña Pallado during the 2023 RFD Election on May 5, 2023 at the Regional Freshwater and Aquaculture Production Center (RFAPC) in Babatngon, Leyte.
Mr. Pallado, formerly involved in capture fisheries and currently a fish cage operator and the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) Chairman of Tacloban City officially represented the fisherfolks of Leyte during the said election. He highlighted the need to unify the voice of all the fisherfolks in the region to bridge the gap between the municipal fisherfolk sector and other sectors, especially the government. “Pag mayada unity, na-follow ngatanan na imo bubuhaton. Bis gaano kabug-at, makakaya basta nag-uurusa,” he remarked. (Everyone follows if there is unity. No matter how heavy/hard it is, everything can be done if everyone is united.)
“Cy”, as what his friends and acquaintances call him, is 36-year-old registered fisherfolk raised in Brgy. 83 A Burayan, Tacloban City by his fisherfolk parents who motivated him to lead and air the sentiments and share developmental insights of his coastal community. He formally accepted the “Bugsay of Responsibility” from outgoing 2022 RFD Martha Cadano during the activity, symbolizing his commitment to lead and empower his fellow fisherfolks in meaningful participation and partnership with DA-BFAR programs and projects implementation.
Other fisherfolk leaders nominated as RFD during the election were Felipe Saulon of Northern Samar, Editha Mabini of Eastern Samar, Melboy Hechanova of Samar, Julio Solana of Southern Leyte, and Edilberto Q. Daang Jr. of Biliran.
The RFD Program is an annual program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that provides a platform for fisherfolk leaders to be informed and educated about the operations and activities of the DA-BFAR. In line with this, the fisherfolk director of the national and regional level will assume the role and task of a BFAR director in the implementation and dissemination of key programs of the agency. He will serve for a term of one (1) month during the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Month and submit his observation, comments, and recommendations relative to the experiences as RFD for the whole month of May, days after his term.
This year, Eastern Visayas RFD is set to visit the technology stations and Provincial Fishery Offices of the BFAR 8 to observe the operations and make necessary recommendations for the improvement of several fisheries’ development programs in the region. He will also be having his formal installation ceremony on May 16, 2023 with the BFAR 8 Regional Director Hannibal M. Chavez, and will be occupying a seat at the Office of the Regional Director being the RFD 2023.
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