REGION 10, April 21-24, 2020 – The Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 10 distributed tilapia and bangus fingerlings to the provinces of Lanao del Norte (LDN) and Misamis Occidental (Mis Occ). The fingerlings provided by the program in the two provinces is a realization of the program’s mandate to alleviate poverty among the marginalized fisherfolks by helping them organize livelihood projects.

Distribution of bangus fingerlings in Misamis Occidental

Mr.  Ian Renn L. Dimasuhid, President of the Danao Bay SAAD Beneficiaries Association of Barangay Punta Miray, Baliangao, received 10,000 bangus fingerlings from SAAD on April 21, 2020 benefiting 30 fisherfolks.

Among other inputs provided, the fingerlings are under the Bangus Culture in Cage Project of 2019 amounting to Php 1,495,420, which will cover the group’s two production cycles. The culture period is four to five months with expectation to harvest this coming August or September.

The distribution was led by Baliangao Municipal Agriculture Officer Discorra Catalan and BFAR-10 Misamis Occidental Provincial Fisheries Officer Cirilo D. Bagcat.

Distribution of tilapia fingerlings in Lanao del Norte

3,000 GET EXCEL tilapia fingerlings and 25 bags of feeds were turned-over to Mr. Jerry B. Barrido, a SAAD beneficiary from Darumawang Ilaya, Lala, Lanao del Norte. The livelihood is under the Tilapia Culture in Pond Project from 2019 funds costing Php 24,000.

Mr. Barrido received the fingerlings at the Lala Aquaculture Fish Farm and Regional Training Center on April 24, 2020.

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Research, GET EXCEL or Genetically-Enhanced Tilapia Excellent strain (also known as hybrid tilapia) is a new breed developed by the government which is 38% more efficient in terms of growth and yield of edible meat; resistant to common stress and diseases; has better taste and good quality meat; cheaper since it can be nurtured both naturally and artificially; and can be raised four times a year unlike the traditional tilapia, which can only be grown up to three croppings a year. ###

Writer: Ruth Esther Bermundo, SAAD RPMSO 10, Information Officer

Editor: Jennifer Valcobero, SAAD NPMO Public Relations and Communications Officer