BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. and DA-CLEAN Foundation president Ma. Elena Y. Lorenzo signed a memorandum of agreement last March 8, 2004 initiating the production of the concert dubbed Concert for the sea: Konsierto para sa karagatan. The concert will highlight Aqualink 2004, the 1st National Fisheries Exhibition and convention scheduled on April 22-23 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.
Concert for the sea aims to communicate to the audience through music, dances and other artistic expressions, the beauty and bounty of properly managed aquatic resources and spur them to take action in sustaining conservation and development efforts. It also intends to raise funds for the benefit of the fisherfolk families.
As per the agreement, DA-BFAR will undertake the production of the concert while DA-CLEAN Foundation will be the sole beneficiary of the proceeds which will be used to finance projects on environment for the benefit of the fisherfolk community.
BFAR, an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture, is mandated to ensure the development, proper utilization, conservation, management, protection, and the sustainability of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.
DA-CLEAN Foundation is a non-stock, non-government organization which undertakes projects pertaining to environment and nutrition. Its members are the ladies’ associations of the different DA bureaus and attached agencies. — DA-AFIS