Gov. Bong Lacson, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region VI Director Remia Aparri, and Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante III led the launching of the Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) Model Village in Brgy. Tortosa, Manapla, this morning.

The BSC Adopt-a-Village Project is a Public Private Community Partnership, initiated as a pilot implementation of the BSC National Management Plan which aims to ensure the sustainability of crab resources and increase community engagement in the conservation and protection of the commodity and improvement of Seafood Watch rating.

The project envisions improving the socio-economic conditions of the BSC fishers and other community members through profitable social enterprise.

It is designed to follow the Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management to achieve multiple objectives on human and economic well-being and good governance.

All stakeholders, including the Dept. of Agriculture and USAID, expressed their support and commitment to the project.

Gov. Lacson said that the vision behind the project is anchored on empowerment and sustainability, establishing a community partnership that harmonizes innovation with tradition and ensuring that resources are utilized wisely.

He also said that Public-Private-Community Partnership is a powerful approach to addressing complex social, economic, and environmental challenges that creates a more integrated and effective approach to community development and innovative solutions.

Also present at the activity were Office of the Provincial Agriculturist OIC Dr. Dina Genzola and Sagay City Councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, among others.*

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