By Kenneth Marcos 
PADRE BURGOS, Southern Leyte – The salty breeze of the coast carried excitement as more than 30 Grade 5 and 6 students gathered at Tangkaan Elementary School to become the first Junior FARMC Champions, an initiative of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).
Held on December 2-3, 2025, the program, “Empowering Young Information Officers for Sustainable Fisheries Management,” introduced young learners to the importance of protecting coastal resources and managing fisheries responsibly. The students learned about Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMCs) and their role in conserving marine ecosystems.
Beyond classroom discussions, participants received training in communication and social media advocacy to prepare them as future voices for ocean conservation. Guided by the motto, “Progress for the Seas, Together with the Youth; let us begin with Junior FARMC,” the students created their own educational materials, showing creativity and understanding of sustainable fisheries practices.
Avrielle Reign M. Rogador, one of the learners, shared: “Creating the material was challenging, but we learned a lot. The youth can help protect the seas by sharing accurate information with the community.”
To teach practical skills, the program also featured Fish N’ Learn, a hands-on activity that introduced financial literacy, saving, budgeting, and resource management in an engaging way.
Dominador G. Maputol, BFAR OIC Regional Director, encouraged the students to continue their advocacy, saying their knowledge today will help shape them into responsible stewards of the sea in the future.
The activity supports DA-BFAR’s ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with FARMCs and expand youth participation in fisheries governance nationwide. Its success was made possible through the cooperation of the Municipal Agriculture Office of Padre Burgos, Tangkaan Elementary School, and the IEC and FARMC teams of BFAR Region VIII.
As the Junior FARMC program grows, it aims to nurture the next generation of informed, responsible, and passionate advocates for the country’s fisheries and coastal resources. Communities are encouraged to support similar initiatives to ensure sustainable seas for the future.
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