BALER, Aurora — Around 100 fisherfolk in Baler, Aurora received nearly ₱430,000 worth of fishing gear from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) during the regional launch of the Malinis at Masaganang Katubigan (MMK) 2.0 campaign.
The agency held the launch during the town’s 10th Regatta del Castillo, an annual festival that celebrates Baler’s maritime heritage and highlights the importance of sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.
BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said MMK 2.0 calls on every Filipino to help protect the country’s aquatic resources through collective action and responsible stewardship.
He said MMK 2.0 serves as a shared movement to keep seas, rivers, and other bodies of water clean, productive, and abundant for future generations.
Cruz added that holding the regional launch during the Regatta del Castillo reinforced the campaign’s message on environmental protection and sustainable fisheries.
BFAR distributed gill nets, kitang, and tuna handlines to qualified fisherfolk to improve their fishing operations and strengthen their livelihoods.
The agency also conducted an Information, Education, and Communication campaign to raise public awareness of marine conservation and responsible fishing practices.
It also featured the MMK 2.0 Sail Cloth Painting Contest, where participants aged 13 to 25 transformed traditional boat sails into artworks promoting marine conservation.
The winning entries were later showcased during the Regatta del Castillo.
Through MMK 2.0, BFAR aims to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, local government units, fisherfolk, and communities to protect aquatic ecosystems while promoting food security and sustainable livelihoods.
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