Enhancing the capacities and productivity of fisherfolk in loach breeding and propagation, a hatchery and training center facility will be constructed to aid in the development of improved breeding facilities and enhanced grow-out production technology.
According to RD Lilibeth L. Signey, the said project is part of the Inclusive Enterprise Development Support Project which amounts to 25 Million Pesos funded under Bayanihan 2. The P21M will be for the building while the P4M will be for hatchery paraphernalia and other training supplies.
“The project component includes rehabilitation of the yu-yu hatchery, training of fisherfolk beneficiaries, and distribution of yu-yu fingerlings for grow-out in rice terraces”, RD Signey added.
With the project, about 300-350 fisherfolk in Mayoyao and its neighboring towns will be trained and equipped with loach breeding skills to achieve a projected annual production of 500,000 – 1,000,000 fingerlings. Thus, there will be 10 units of training events that will be conducted to increase technology adopters per year.
“We are thankful for the strong support of Congressman Solomon R. Chungalao and Governor Jerry U. Dalipog as well as to BFAR Assistant Director Drusila Bayate that this opportunity had materialized. We likewise commit to support this endeavor that with our strong partnership and cooperation we will succeed to make this industry to benefit not only Mayoyao but also the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Banawe, Hungduan, and other interested towns of Ifugao province”, said Mayor Jimmy B. Padchanan, Jr.
“I believe that this project, through the intervention of our almighty God, this program will prosper so let us help one another attain our goal toward making Mayoyao a loach capital of Ifugao, and loach capital of the Philippines. Let us start producing fingerlings so we can distribute to more fisherfolk”, Mayor Padchanan Added.
The Japanese Weather Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) or locally known as dojo, yu-yu, panispis or pikaw, was introduced by the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II. In the Cordillera, the said fish species was historically around playing in rice paddies. However, due to commercialization the production of the said species got depleted and now has a high market value. It is also said that the said species played a significant role in the nutrition of the populace because of its high protein content.
The intervention is the fruit of the cooperation between the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Local Government Unit of Mayoyao. Thus, the groundbreaking ceremony was participated in by BFAR-CAR RD Lilibeth L. Signey, FPSSD Chief Lois June B. Fermin, Ifugao PFO Eumic C. Culimay, together with Ifugao Provincial Governor Jerry U. Dalipog, Mayoyao Mayor Jimmy B. Padchanan, Jr., Vice Mayor Rudy Chilagan, Aguinaldo Mayor Gaspar B. Chilagan, Jr. and Architect Renato Bajit of PhilRice.**Rodelyn Q. Foronda
