Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) attended the wrap-up meeting of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project’s first Implementation Support Mission of the World Bank and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-led FishCoRe Project National Planning Workshop on October 4 to 6, 2023 in Quezon City. 

During the wrap-up meeting, PFDA Assistant General Manager Ms. Iris R. de Vera, together with National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) Executive Director Ms. Lilian C. Garcia and Interim Deputy Project Manager of FishCoRe Project Mr. Elymi Ar-J S. Tuñaco signed a Memorandum of Agreement showing their support in this monumental step towards transforming the Philippine fisheries sector. 

Afterward, World Bank Task Team Leader Ms. Jingjie Chu presented the mission findings and recommendations of the World Bank. At the launch of the FishCoRe project in Cagayan de Oro City on September 28, Ms. Chu expressed her excitement about FishCoRe, highlighting it as a significant milestone in the World Bank's engagement with the blue economy.

Meanwhile, all permanent and alternate focal persons of the FishCoRe Project National Project Management Office (NPMO), regional project focal persons, and key representatives from other government agency partners actively participated during the three-day workshop. 

At the end of the workshop, the participants fully understood the project and requirements for implementation and completed the project's Work and Financial Plan (2023-2025).

The FishCoRe Project aims to revolutionize fishery resource management and elevate the value of fishery production in designated Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs).

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Aaron Amberson Dalisay - PFDA-CPMISD)