BENGUET, October 12, 2023 – Two (2) members of fisherfolk groups assisted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (BFAR-SAAD) Program in Tublay and Sablan, Benguet showcased and earned from their tilapia harvest during the Aldaw ti panagkalap celebration of the Ilocano people. 

Aldaw ti panagkalap is an Ilocano term which means a harvest festival. It is the time where fisherfolk  promote and market their agri-fishery products. 

Mr. Vincent Bero, a member of Fisherfolk Organization of Daclan (FOOD) from Tublay shared that he harvested 95 kilograms (kgs) from his 150 square meters (sqm) pond area and earned at least Php 13,000 at a farm gate price of Php 120. He began his tilapia farming with 750 fingerlings stocked in his fishpond. Along with 7.7 bags of fish feeds, under the Tilapia in Ponds Project of BFAR –Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), he received the said inputs on April 4.

On the other hand, Fisherfolk of Sablan Highlands (FISH) member, Mr. Carlo Pito also sold 426 kgs of his harvest at Php 140/kg. He stocked the 2,000 fingerlings to his 400sqm fishpond simultaneously to Mr. Bero.

The Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) carried out by the implementers earlier this year revealed that the Tilapia in Pond Project is one of the viable projects in Tublan and Sablay due to its environmental adaptability. The bureau distributed the fishery inputs depending on the size of the pond area of the members (one sqm: five fingerlings). 

It took four months to cultivate the tilapia before it reached marketable size, concurrent to the harvest festival celebration of the Ilocano people.

During the festival, Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD) Chief Lois June Fermin of BFAR-CAR highlighted the pivotal role that fisheries play in achieving balanced nutrition, complementing Cordillerans’ livestock and rearing cultivation as she emphasized the scarcity of fisheries in the Cordilleras. She then underscored the objectives of the BFAR-SAAD Program of fostering sustainable development, eliminating hunger, ensuring food security, enhancing nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Tublay Mayor Engr. Armando I. Lauro also graced the occasion, commending other fisherfolk-beneficiaries for their triumphant harvest and successful tilapia cultivation in Sitio Chagao and Barangay Ambongdolan. According to Tublay Municipal Agriculturist Engr. Jeffrey Sotero, the project’s immediate interventions yielded swift results. Moreover, aligned effectively with Tublay’s needs, the project stands as a climate-resilient livelihood initiative, with the culture period shortened from six (6) to four (4) months.

During the event, postharvest equipment was provided. This includes 10 pieces of crates, two (2) units of 10-kg capacity weighing scales, one unit of 60-kg capacity weighing scale, and a 20-meter by 5-meter harvest net each. These distributed inputs support two cropping periods over two years as part of the package of the tilapia project. 

Writer: Eleonor A. Bognay, BFAR-SAAD CAR Information Officer
Photo Credit: BFAR-SAAD CAR