BFAR strengthens aquaculture in Agusan Norte
By Mariesh F. CeledeΓ±a
BUTUAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Caraga recently delivered nearly 255,800 bangus fingerlings to the coastal communities in the cities of Butuan and Cabadbaran, including the towns of Buenavista, Magallanes and Tubay, all in the province of Agusan del Norte.
A total of 29,700 fingerlings were distributed to 14 fisherfolk beneficiaries in Sanghan, Cabadbaran City; 30,000 fingerlings to 20 beneficiaries in Butuan City; 105,900 fingerlings to 23 beneficiaries in Buenavista; 22,000 fingerlings to 2 fisherfolk organizations in Tubay, while 68,200 fingerlings were provided to 19 beneficiaries in Magallanes.
The fingerlings were placed in oxygenated plastic bags. Each bag contains 160 fingerlings to ensure its safety and stress-free transport to the beneficiaries.
According to Ian D. Batitang, officer-In-charge of Masao Technology Outreach Station (MTOS), the distributed fingerlings are high quality that will potentially yield more or less 86 metric tons of bangus.
“We will continue distributing bangus fingerlings to help the local fishers who do not have enough monetary capital to buy bangus fingerlings for their fishponds. Our target is to distribute more than 300,000 bangus fingerlings to qualified beneficiaries,” Batitang said.
Meanwhile, Joseph E. Malaque, chairperson of the Taod-oy Cluster 1 Fisherfolk Farmer Association in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte, expressed gratitude to the government, particularly to BFAR for the aid given to them.
It greatly helped us and our association. As fisherfolk and owners of fishponds, our main problem is the acquisition of fingerlings since it requires a big capital. We really felt the help of the government through BFAR’s constant support,” Malaque said..
The distribution of fingerlings is part of the bureau’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local aquaculture production, creating sustainable growth in fisheries, and boost bangus production in the province.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2023 poverty statistics, the fisherfolk is the second sector in society with high poverty incidence. With this, BFAR Caraga continues to uplift the lives of the fisherfolk, providing them with sustainable livelihood and increasing their production and income as they thrive to contribute to national food security. (MFC, PIA Butuan City with a report from BFAR Caraga)
