From left to right: APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV and BFAR Region III Director Wilfredo M. Cruz holding the signed the Memorandum of Understanding for livelihood projects and establishment of vessel monitoring system in a ceremony held at APECO’s 1 Corporate Campus, Sitio Motiong, Brgy. Esteves, Casiguran, Aurora on July 11, 2025.
(11 JULY 2025, Casiguran, Aurora) — Residents of Casiguran can look forward to more livelihood opportunities as the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region III formalized their partnership to develop marine resources.
APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV and BFAR-III Director Mr. Wilfredo M. Cruz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the APECO Administration Building in Brgy. Esteves, Casiguran on 11 July 2025 to build both salt-making and seaweed production facilities, to explore a legislated marine hatchery, and to establish a vessel monitoring system intended to promote sustainability in the Philippine Rise and Philippine Sea.
“Bagong APECO continues to find new allies; today we formally welcome BFAR as our partner for development. By working together on key projects, we are laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods, local enterprise development, and stronger food security for Casiguran. These initiatives aim to empower our local communities and transform Casiguran into a hub for marine-based investments towards our direction to become the Fishing Capital of the Pacific,” PCEO Taway said.
Under the MOU, both parties target to develop a one hectare inland salt production facility introducing the latest technologies to the region, building on the existing salt-drying installations in the ecozone’s Parcel 2, specifically in Brgy. Cozo. The facility is intended to produce high-quality artisanal salt for both local consumption and export.
Estimated investment for the one hectare salt production facility is estimated at PHP10 million and can generate 30 direct jobs for the community.
APECO and BFAR-III also plan to develop commercial-scale seaweed farming in the northern bays in Brgy. Diniog, Brgy. Dalugan, and Brgy. Cozo in Parcel 2 of the economic zone. The initiative will introduce both cultivation practices and drying facilities to an estimated one-half to one hectare of land for each of the three barangays. The harvested seaweed is intended for culinary use and export, creating new income streams for local communities.
Further, both agencies look to collaborate for the establishment of another one-hectare inland marine hatchery within the ecozone. The facility will focus on rearing fingerlings for distribution to fish farming areas outside Casiguran. Designed for year-round operations, the hatchery will follow a three- to four-month production cycle per batch, supporting both local aquaculture development and regional supply needs. Estimated investment for the marine hatchery ranges between PHP40 million and PHP50 million for one hectare.
Apart from livelihood activities, the MOU establishes a strategic partnership between APECO and BFAR-III for the development of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) covering the Eastern Seaboard and the Philippine Rise. The system is expected to strengthen maritime surveillance and support the development of future port facilities. Controlled access may be granted to civilian and security agencies as needed.
On the same day, BFAR and APECO did a sea trial for the Doña Aurora vessel, an initial step in strengthening coastal surveillance and fisheries monitoring in Casiguran and nearby waters.
“Bagong APECO is truly a welcome development for our region, for Central Luzon. There were many plans initiated before but it is only now that BFAR can confidently say that we are on the same page with APECO for genuine, sustainable development in Aurora,” Director Cruz said.
“With APECO’s present infrastructure development priority, we believe Caisguran can set an example for other coastal areas in the country,” he added.
