By Johny S. Natad
In cooperation with the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Lake Mainit Development Alliance successfully facilitated the orientation on the Fishery Administrative Order 196 series of 2000 or Guidelines on the Creation and Implementation of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMC’s) on January 28, 2008. This orientation supports the program of the national government “to empower the fisherfolk and to achieve sustainable of fisheries and aquatic resources, attain food security and eradicate poverty among the coastal and inland fishing communities and pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No.8550 otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998”. The Lake Mainit FOCAS in its aim to strengthen the FARMC also supported the said activity.
Mr. Martiano D. Yandra, the BFAR-13 Regional FARMC Coordinator presented and explained the FAO 196 to participating FARMC representatives coming from Municipalities of Mainit, Alegria, Kitcharao, Jabonga,
