ABRA | In the river communities of Lagangilang and La Paz, the promise of stronger livelihoods is taking shape through knowledge, preparation, and collective commitment. Recently, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region (BFAR-CAR), through the FishCoRe Project under MARLIN Subcomponent 2.1, concluded a series of specialized trainings for fisherfolk associations set to operate FishMart enterprises in Abra.
The trained associations included the San Isidro Fisherfolk Association in Lagangilang and the Bulbulala and Malabbaga Fisherfolk Associations in La Paz. Each has completed a two-day capacity-building program designed to equip members with practical competencies in enterprise management, marketing, operations, financial administration, and sustainability. The training serves as a prerequisite to the release of the FishMART project package, ensuring that beneficiaries are organizationally and technically prepared to manage the enterprise effectively.
Before the start of each session, participants were oriented on the designation of the Abra River under the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) framework and the strategic transition toward FishMart as a sustainable livelihood intervention. The orientation also highlighted the observed fluctuations in fish catch along the river, offering insights into risk management and supply planning to address emerging challenges.
The program combined project orientation, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), and focused technical sessions to strengthen enterprise readiness and institutional capacity. Through hands-on diagramming exercises, including seasonal calendar mapping, institutional analysis, trend assessment, resource flow mapping, and problem tree analysis, participants examined their local livelihood systems and identified key challenges and opportunities. Findings revealed that fishing, animal husbandry, and weaving remain primary income sources, while recurring issues such as flooding and increased fishing pressure continue to affect productivity and resource sustainability.
Technical sessions focused on proper fish handling, cold chain management, and sanitation standards to safeguard food safety and maintain product quality. The program also covered organizational development, financial literacy, and basic bookkeeping to promote transparency and accountability within the associations. Interactive learning tools, including the Fish N’ Learn game, reinforced key concepts, while discussions on facility readiness clarified that project inputs will be released upon submission of complete documentary requirements.
The training also underscored that successful FishMart operations depend not only on the material inputs but also on strong organizational structures, sound financial management, and sustained collaboration among members and partner institutions. Support from the World Bank, coursed through BFAR, further strengthens the initiative’s sustainability framework.
The importance of inter-agency collaboration was likewise emphasized, citing continued support from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Abra as critical pillars in sustaining the initiative.
Beneficiaries conveyed their appreciation to the bureau and partner agencies, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening FishMart enterprises as a pathway toward improved livelihoods, reduced post-harvest loss, market access, and more resilient fishing communities in Abra.//
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