FRY DISTRIBUTION. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz leads the distribution of milkfish fry to fish farmers in Paombong, Bulacan on Thursday (Sept. 7, 2023). A total of 900,000 milkfish fry was allotted for distribution to the fishers to help them recover from losses brought by recent weather disturbances and at the same time boost milkfish production in the town. (Photo courtesy of BFAR Central Luzon)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3) has allotted some 900,000 milkfish fry to fish farmers in Paombong, Bulacan who were affected by the recent weather disturbances.
BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said in an interview on Friday that the milkfish fry was provided by the Sarangani Fry Finfish Hatchery in support of the agency’s recovery efforts after the onslaught of Typhoon Egay and enhanced southwest monsoon.
Cruz said the grant is also part of BFAR’s Fish Sufficiency Program.
He said BFAR-3, in coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office, started the distribution of milkfish fry to fish growers at the Paombong municipal covered court on Thursday.
“Ang aktibidad na ito ay bahagi rin ng mas malawakang adhikain ng BFAR na magtaguyod ng masaganang pangisdaan para sa ekonomiya ng bansa at upang tulungan ang mga mangingisda na naapektuhan ng mga kalamidad (The activity is part of the BFAR's broad goal to promote abundant fisheries for the country's economy and to help fishers affected by the calamities),” Cruz said.
Through the sufficient supply of milkfish fry, the BFAR official said there will be more opportunities for those who want to venture into a fishery business and eventually contribute to the development of the industry in Central Luzon.
“Sa mga susunod na buwan, ating inaasahan makita ang positibong epekto ng pamamahagi ng semilya ng bangus sa mga mangingisda at sa pag-angat ng Paombong, Bulacan mula sa pinsalang dulot ng mga bagyo (In the coming months, we expect to see the positive effect of the distribution of the milkfish fry to the fisherfolk and the recovery of Paombong, Bulacan from the damage brought by typhoons),” he added.
Randy Santiago, a fish grower and fisherfolk leader in Barangay San Roque of Paombong town, said the provision of milkfish fry is a timely assistance that could help them recover from the losses brought by the weather disturbances.
“Malaking tulong po ito sa amin mga fish farmers matapos ng masamang dulot ng bagyo. Ito rin ay nagbibigay oportunidad para kami ay umunlad at lumawak ang produksyon ng bangus dito sa aming bayan (This is a big help to us fish farmers following the adverse impact of the typhoon. It will also provide an opportunity for us to uplift and expand the production of milkfish here in our town),” Santiago said in an interview.
Based on the report of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, damage to agriculture and fisheries sectors brought by Typhoon Egay in July was estimated at PHP93 million. (PNA)
