Sta Marcela, APAYAO. Enhancing the capacities of the Bacut Lake at the same time while creating livelihood opportunities for about 130 fisherfolk recipients here, three modules of steel frame fish cage livelihood projects were turned over to the identified beneficiaries, recently
It can be recalled that said projects were already awarded to its recipients during a ceremony conducted in light of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr’s visit in Benguet last Friday. The actual turnover of the projects inclusive of aquaculture inputs such as feeds and fingerlings was undertaken, today.
Each of the fish cage livelihood projects amounts to 716,256.00 composed of a complete set of steel frame cages, including its one cropping requirement of 147 bags of feeds and 21,600 pcs tilapia fingerlings. According to FPSSD Chief Marx Perfecto C. Garcia, each module with four units of cage is projected to contribute about 2.5 MT in aquaculture production after five months of culture period.
Chief Aquaculturist Lois June B. Fermin, added further that this initiative is also part of the BFAR’s mitigating measures before we observe the effects of the El Nino phenomenon since PAGASA forecasted that the dry spell and drought brought about by El Nino may persist until May (in time of the harvest season).
“We were once a recipient of the bamboo-made fish cages installed in Kapayanan Dam, Flora, Apayao but were destroyed and washed away by typhoon Egay, so we hope that these metal cages can now withstand any typhoon”, Anninipan SWIP Association President Joey Laureta said. Said association was organized in 2000 and already a CSO-accredited just last year.
Apart from the launching ceremony, stocking of 10,000 pcs Nile tilapia and 40,000 pcs common carp fingerlings in the communal bodies of water of bacut, takang and anninipan SWIP was also conducted. Also joining the turnover activity were Flora Mayor Rodolfo Juan Sr. as well as representatives from the local government of Sta Marcela, PLGU, barangay officials, fisherfolk groups, and other stakeholders. **RFDeVera