In Photo: APECO’s Business Development & Marketing Division Manager, Mr. Gene Angelo P. Ferrer and Admin & General Services Division Manager, Mr. John V. Socito alongside BFAR Region 3 Director, Mr. Willy Cruz, Provincial Officer, Mr. Rex Sabalucca, and Seaweeds Project Alternate Focal Mr. Jagger Enaje during their visit to APECO for the strategic meeting on the Salt and Seaweed Project.
(21 March 2025 Casiguran, Aurora) - Embracing its role towards fostering sustainable local economic development, the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is partnering with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to launch suitable and scalable livelihood programs for the local community. The partnership focuses on the development of Salt Production Facilities and Seaweed Farms within the economic zone that will directly benefit the local communities, especially the Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
APECO’s Business Development & Marketing Division Manager, Mr. Gene Angelo P. Ferrer, and Admin & General Services Division Manager, Mr. John V. Socito, along with BFAR Region 3 Director, Mr. Willy Cruz, Provincial Officer Mr. Rex Sabalucca, and Seaweeds Project Alternate Focal Mr. Jagger Enaje, came together at the APECO Administration Building to discuss the implementation of these projects. The collaborative meeting marked the first step towards creating a structure for sustainable development that leverages the region’s resources and strategic location.
The highlight of the meeting was the agreement on the roles of each organization in the project’s implementation wherein BFAR will lead both projects inception, overseeing the development and initial operation of the salt production facility and seaweed farming processes, while APECO will act as a vital link, connecting the national government agency with the local community who shall be the primary beneficiary and operator of both projects. The livelihood projects were thoughtfully selected to align with the area’s resources, and the local people’s expertise in mind.
APECO’s primary role includes selecting land and coordinating with the local communities for the project’s development, while BFAR will focus on the construction and maintenance of essential infrastructure such as processing facilities and storage units. Both organizations shall share responsibility for the project’s management, combining APECO’s business expertise with BFAR’s technical proficiency in marine resource management. Moreover, BFAR has committed to supplying the necessary equipment and machinery to support the construction of salt facilities and to initiate seaweed farming processes, which are expected to become vital products from the ecozone.
Another key takeaway during the meeting was APECOs strategic direction to be the Fishing Capital of the Pacific. BFAR expressed its commitment to helping APECO by conducting a study on fishing behavior and the available fish stock population in the Philippine Rise, a critical area for marine biodiversity and a known tuna and high value fish highway. This study will provide valuable insights into the sustainability of the region's marine resources, ensuring that APECO’s long standing plan to develop the Coastal Sustainable Program (CSP) that can be achieved without compromising the health of the local ecosystems.
The partnership between APECO and BFAR promises to enhance the local economy by generating new job opportunities and also aims to create a model of sustainable development that could be replicated in other communities and barangays within the economic zone. With their combined effort, APECO and BFAR are poised to make a significant contribution to the region’s long-term prosperity, all while ensuring that environmental stewardship remains a top priority.
