Newly appointed BFAR chief Elizer S. Salilig taking his oath of office. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥擯resident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed a career official with a 34-year experience in fisheries management as the new national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Elizer Salilig, who was the regional director of BFAR鈥檚 office in Mimaropa since 2016, was made the head of the office on Jan. 15 and took office before Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel on Friday, Jan. 24.
Salilig, who started as a fishery technician for the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Soccsksargen, said he will ensure the efficient implementation of BFAR鈥檚 programs.
He stressed that he will work 鈥渨ith a steadfast commitment to advancing food security and supporting our fisherfolk,鈥� while pointing out the need to 鈥渟trengthen the aquaculture industry.鈥�
Salilig, who led initiatives such as the one that produced millions of fingerlings a week, said amid the challenges posed by climate change, he is determined to focus on transitioning toward sustainable fisheries practices.鈥�
But to achieve this, he stressed that 鈥渨e will actively collaborate with other government agencies and academic institutions to enhance research and development efforts.鈥�
Salilig鈥檚 appointment is widely viewed as a step toward restoring trust and stability in the agency tasked with overseeing the state鈥檚 fisheries sector, especially amid the issue on vessel monitoring system that confronted top BFAR and DA executives.
READ: Ex-BFAR execs post bail for VMS-related graft raps
鈥淯ltimately, my goal is to lead the agency in fulfilling its mission to ensure fish sufficiency, improve the quality of life of our fisherfolk, and align with the President鈥檚 vision of boosting productivity and yields, thereby uplifting their standard of living,鈥� he stressed.
Salilig is expected to lead BFAR toward sustainable growth and provide stronger support for the fisheries sector, which plays a vital role in food security and the economy.