TACLOBAN CITY – Members of the Talairan Mananagat Fisherfolk Association (TMFA) and the Culasian Wing Oyster Growers Association (CuWOGA) in Capoocan, Leyte, recently harvested approximately 2,373 kilograms of milkfish.
The two groups are beneficiaries of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Special Area for Agricultural Development (BFAR-SAAD) Phase II program’s Bangus in High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Cage project, which is supported by the Provincial Fishery Office (PFO) of Leyte.
The BFAR-SAAD projects aim to reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of vulnerable fisherfolk and their communities by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
These projects complement the Department of Agriculture’s banner programs and assist beneficiaries in establishing community-based fishery enterprises, enhancing food security, and promoting economic growth in targeted areas across the Philippines.
The harvested milkfish, or bangus, were sold in Capoocan and Carigara, generating a gross income of P 112,200 for TMFA and P210,285 for CuWOGA.
These earnings, deposited into their respective bank accounts, will be used to expand and maintain their Bangus in HDPE cage project.
Additionally, TMFA plans to reinvest a portion of their profits into a new venture focused on selling fishing gear locally, thereby creating new income opportunities for the association.
“There is a future for our sacrifices. We are very grateful to those who established the SAAD program; you’ve given us a new source of income and the opportunity to experience bangus farming,” Jovencio Delima Jr., TMFA vice president, said.
Since becoming SAAD beneficiaries in 2023, TMFA and CuWOGA have each received more than P1.34 million worth of essential inputs for the Bangus in HDPE Cage project.
This support included an HDPE cage unit, fingerlings, aquafeeds, and a series of capability and specialized training, leading to a successful inaugural harvest of milkfish in December 2023.
That initial harvest yielded a combined total of 3.64 metric tons of milkfish, generating P230,425 for TMFA and P247,950 for CuWOGA.
Both groups also underwent specialized training in fish processing technology to enhance their aquaculture operations and to produce processed milkfish products, which they can sell at higher prices, thereby increasing their earnings.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
