By Kenneth Marcos 
BANGUED, Abra — The morning air at the Provincial Fisheries Office buzzed with excitement as local fisherfolk saw new equipment arrive to boost their livelihood. Five fisherfolk associations in Abra recently received a total of Php 3.25 million worth of marketing tools under the Kadiwa Style Fish Mart program.
The support, benefiting around 325 fisherfolk members, was provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region (BFAR-CAR) through the FishCoRe Project, MARLIN Subcomponent, funded by the World Bank. The equipment includes storage and marketing facilities designed to help fisherfolk sell their catch efficiently, improve income, and reduce post-harvest losses.
BFAR-CAR officials said the initiative aims to strengthen the fish value chain in the province by giving fisherfolk the means to bring fresh, quality seafood to local markets. The program also encourages community-based management of fisheries resources and provides technical guidance to enhance sustainable fishing practices.
Local association leaders expressed gratitude, noting that the new equipment will help them reach more buyers and maintain the quality of their catch. This intervention is part of a broader effort to empower coastal communities and promote food security while ensuring fisherfolk livelihoods are more resilient and sustainable.
The Kadiwa Style Fish Mart in Abra serves as a model for how government support and proper infrastructure can uplift small-scale fisherfolk, helping them compete in local markets and secure a better future for their families.
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