BFAR to launch ‘food boat’ for West Philippine Sea fishers

To further support the livelihood of Filipino fishers in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is preparing to launch a dedicated “food boat” that will serve both as a logistics hub and market link for freshly caught seafood.

BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said in a phone interview Thursday that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to boost local productivity and improve fisherfolk welfare. Over P20 million worth of food boats are expected to be operational by late 2025 or early 2026.

“May barko ang BFAR na pupunta sa laot at may kakayahan itong magsagawa ng slurry ice production para ma-preserve ang huli ng ating mga mangingisda,” Briguera explained, referring to the vessel’s onboard capability to produce ice and store fresh catch.

With a weekly carrying capacity of up to 20 metric tons, the food boat will also function as a logistics bridge—collecting seafood directly at sea and transporting it to markets, minimizing the need for fishers to return to shore immediately.

The initiative mirrors the government’s newly launched “Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka” (KBBM) program—a joint project with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)—which is currently benefiting close to 1,000 fishers in the WPS.

Through the PCG’s MV Mamalakaya, the KBBM transports fresh catch to major ports in Zambales, Navotas, and other coastal markets, while offering fuel and ice subsidies to reduce operational costs.

“This marks the first time the government is directly intervening with a sea-based market linkage to reduce post-harvest losses,” Briguera said. “Mababawasan ang gastos ng mga mangingisda at mas mapapabilis ang pagdating ng sariwang huli sa merkado.”

The Department of Agriculture said the KBBM program will roll out in three phases until 2027—starting with the Kalayaan Group of Islands, followed by Bajo de Masinloc in 2026, and Northern Luzon’s Benham Rise in 2027.

According to BFAR, the WPS contributes roughly 13 percent of the country’s total annual fish production, underscoring the need for more sustainable and accessible support systems for Filipino fishers.