Following successful elections of FMA 7 Management Body Co-Chairperson for Regions 5 and 4A, the BFAR 5 spearheaded the election for the same position for Region 8, followed by the overall Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 7 Co-Chairperson Election, held on July 31, 2024, in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Led by the FMA 7 Management Body Chairperson, Ariel U. Pioquinto, the overview of the FMA 7, Science of FMA and other updates were presented.
The meeting was attended by Local Chief Executives (LCEs) from FMA 7 member municipalities in the provinces of Biliran and Leyte, as well as the FMA 7 Co-Chairperson representative for Region 5. Chairpersons and representatives from Samar’s alliances- Alliance of LGUs Along Samar Bays and Channels (ALSBACH), San Bernardino LGU Alliance – Northern Samar (SaBELANs), and Samar Sea Alliance of Local Government Units for Fisheries Management and Development (SASAFMD), as well as DILG Region 8 representative, FMA 7 TWG members, NSAP staff, AT Fisheries and BFAR 5, 4A, and 8 personnel
“Local Government Units take a vital role in the management, conservation, and sustainability of the resources of the FMA 7. The BFAR as a technical agency work in the context of managing with all stakeholders” RD Ariel said in his message.
With no established alliances in the provinces of Leyte and Biliran, the election began with the nomination of LCE representatives from the two provinces. Honorables Myra Cabrales of Biliran, and Aron Balais of Barugo, Leyte were chosen as representatives of their respective provinces
There were five nominees for the MB Co-Chairperson for Region 8, including the new representatives for Biliran and Leyte provinces, and the Co-Chairpersons of the three alliances from Samar. Honorable Aron Balais was elected as the FMA 7 Co-Chairperson for Region 8.
To complete the election process, the elected MB Co-Chairpersons for Regions 4A and 5 were introduced. Finally, Honorable Jesus T. Camara Jr., the Mayor of Libmanan, Camarines Sur, and Chairperson of Ragay Gulf Development and Management Council, was proclaimed the official MB Co-Chairperson for FMA 7.
(Source: BFAR Bicol)