Embassy of Japan Minister for Economic Affairs Akio Isomata (third from left) was assisted by Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (second from left) and Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte during the ribbon cutting ceremony. |
In simple official rites held in Bula, Camarines Sur on September 23, 2010, Embassy of Japan's Minister for Economic Affairs Akio Isomata, Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala led the inauguration of four major facilities under the “ RFFC Continuing Capacity Building for Integrated Development of Bicol Freshwater Fisheries Project ” . The Project, worth 60 million pesos is a component of the Japan Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program (formerly known as 2KR or Japan 's Increased Food Production Program).
The inauguration of the mini laboratory, mini feedmill building, fish processing plant and training hall-cum-dormitory were constructed to upgrade facilities of the Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center (RFFC). The Project, which started in 2007 was a collaboration between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) of the Department of Agriculture. The project hopes to provide better alternatives and direction for the development of freshwater resources in the Bicol Region, in order to contribute to the upliftment of the economic status of the Bicolanos and ultimately help in attaining food security targets of the Filipino people.
The Government of Japan has been assisting the RFFC for almost two decades under the KR 2 Program. Through the years, the Center has been at the forefront of aquaculture production and served as a training hub on the dissemination of aquaculture technologies in the Bicol Region. These newly constructed facilities will hopefully address the shortage in aquaculture production, elevate the functions of the RFFC from a mere production based aquaculture service center to a modernized one-stop-shop of freshwater fisheries technologies, thus boosting the overall aquaculture system in the region.
Minister Isomata said in his speech, “I am pleased that the upgraded RFFC would provide productive source of livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries of the aquaculture industry.”
For the past thirty years, the Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers Program (formerly known as the 2KR Program) has made a positive impact on the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisher-folks, and this project reaffirms Japan's commitment as the top donor of the Official Development Assistance to the Philippines to support the efforts of the Government of the Philippines to alleviate poverty and achieve food self-sufficiency.
Speech of Minister Akio Isomata
Japanese Version
