ILOILO – In celebration of Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, Jehro S. Labrador, a fish vendor from Bugasong, Antique, formally took his oath as the new regional fisherfolk director (RFD) of Western Visayas, on May 5.
The ceremony was spearheaded by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 6 (BFAR-6) director Remia Aparri, who urged fisherfolk leaders to ask difficult questions, offer grounded insights, and speak with courage that only someone from the grassroots can bring.
Labrador, who has long been involved in the fisheries sector, works as both a fish vendor and a small-scale fishing boat operator. He chairs the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) in Bugasong and serves as vice chairperson of the Bugasong Fishermen Cooperative.
In his message, Labrador expressed his deep commitment to his new role: “Our active participation is essential for the future of fisheries development. The knowledge we carry — from the sea, our coastal communities, and our experience — serves as a vital compass in crafting sustainable policies and programs.”
His appointment as mangingisdang direktor follows Department of Agriculture Special Order No. 88, series of 2005. For the month of May, he will serve as acting regional director of the BFAR-6, tasked with overseeing program implementation and championing fisherfolk concerns across the region.
Labrador’s leadership marks a significant moment for grassroots representation in fisheries governance, highlighting the vital role of fisherfolk in shaping the sector’s future./PN
