President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Elizer S. Salilig as the new national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – an experienced official with more than 34 years of experience.
“It is an honor to be appointed by President Marcos as national director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,” said Mr. Salilig, whose appointment was signed on January 15, 2024.
“My top priority is to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of BFAR programs, with a determined commitment to promoting food security and supporting our fishermen,” he added.
At the same time, Mr. Salilig expressed his thanks to Minister of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel, who took his office on January 24, 2025, for his appointment at the post and promised to work hard to help the Ministry of Agriculture. To guarantee food security.
Mr. Salilig, born on December 4, 1966 in Magpet, North Cotabato, climbed through the ranks and started as a fishing technician for the Ministry of Agriculture in region XII.
Later he held supervisor positions, including Aquaculturist I and competitor Planning and Budget Officer, where he supervised the planning, monitoring and evaluation of programs aimed at the development of the fishing sector.
Mr Salilig’s leadership extended to the Fisheries Scholarship Program, where he implemented initiatives to cultivate the next generation of fishing professionals.
In 2016, Mr. Salilig was appointed regional director of BFAR Mimaropa.
During his term of office, he led initiatives such as the Tilapia Intensive Hatchery Production program, which produced millions of young fish every week, and the creation of the first shrimp nursery in the Land in Oriental Mindoro. These projects have considerably stimulated aquaculture production and supported national programs to increase food security.
He also facilitated the construction of a modern regional BFAR office, with which he underlined his commitment to improving the infrastructure and services.
Mr Salilig recognized the importance of tackling emerging challenges and promised to give priority to sustainability in his leadership.
“In the midst of the growing challenges that climate change entails, I am determined to concentrate on strengthening the aquaculture sector and the transition to sustainable fishing practices,” he said. “To achieve this, we will actively collaborate with other government agencies and academic institutions to improve research and development efforts.”
The appointment of Mr Salilig is generally seen as a step towards the restoration of trust and stability in the body in charge of supervising the fishermen sector of the country.
“Ultimately, it is my goal to lead the agency to fulfill its mission to guarantee the fishing facility, to improve the quality of life of our fishermen and to be in line with the president’s vision to increase productivity and yields , which increases their standard of living, “he emphasized. .
With his extensive experience and proven track record, Mr Salilig is expected to lead BFAR to sustainable growth and offer stronger support to the fishing sector, which plays a crucial role in food security and economy.
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