Poquita is new BFAR regional director

Poquita

ALLAN Poquita is now the regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7).

Poquita told Cebu Daily News yesterday that his appointment was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte last week.

“I am waiting for Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for the oathtaking,” he said.

Poquita previously held the position of BFAR-7 assistant regional director for eight years. When former BFAR-7 director Andres Bojos retired five months ago, Poquita filled the vacated position in a temporary capacity.

Poquita assured that he will continue to implement the bureau’s priorities.

First is the fight against illegal fishing and the apprehension of unregistered vessels. Administrative fines range from P100,000 to P500,000. If convicted, the offender will face an imprisonment ranging from six months to six years.

His second priority involves the production of bangus (milkfish), tilapia, shrimps, seaweeds and shellfish.

There are aquaculture developments for bangus in the municipalities of Sibonga, Argao, Alcantara, Moalboal and Badian.

Aquaculture developments for tilapia are in Barili and Argao towns and Toledo City.

For seaweeds and shellfish, these are mostly found all over the Cebu province.

Poquita said he also wanted to promote resource management called “Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan” (MMK) among the local government units.

“We are promoting this to the local government units. They (LGUs) should have this what we call the protected areas and bantay dagat,” Poquita said.

Poquita said they would be giving away incentives of up to P5 million in the regional level and P20 million in the national level so LGUs would be encouraged to implement the MMK program.

Meanwhile, Poquita advised the public not to eat shellfish taken from Dauis town and Tagbilaran City in Bohol due to red tide in both areas.