Bohol boosts Bayongan Dam aquaculture 

with new fish cages, tilapia fingerlings

By Elvira C. Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), in partnership with the Bohol provincial government, turned over high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages and stocked tilapia fingerlings at Bayongan Dam in San Miguel town ahead of fingerling stocking at a province-owned facility in Ubay town on Aug. 20.

Seven people’s organizations each received an HDPE cage valued at P900,000, plus fingerlings and tilapia feeds.

BFAR provided 15,000 fingerlings which were acclimated inside Bayongan Dam under NIA supervision.

These fingerlings are expected to reach marketable size in about four months and will be sold directly to local markets.

The beneficiary groups include the San Miguel Tilapia Growers Association, Illaya Tilapia Growers Association, Awjan Zamora Farmers Association, Guinob-an Tilapia Growers Association, Barangay Farmers Technician Association, Valladolid Palayaman Farmers Association, and Loay Fishermen’s Association.

Under the administration of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector sees initiatives focused on modernization, and direct support for farmers and fisherfolk through grants and machinery, among others.

A key focus of the Marcos administration has been the modernization of fisheries infrastructure to improve the cold chain system and boost the industry.

BOATech

On Aug. 20, a total of 5,200 fingerlings — including common carp, African catfish, red tilapia, and regular tilapia — were stocked in a 5,500-square-meter pond at the Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Ubay.

The fish are expected to yield about 4,400 kilos after four months and will be sold at affordable prices through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist at the Capitol.

Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, Third District Board Member Nathaniel Binlod, and Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog led the stocking activities and inspected support facilities, including 130 pump boats, to strengthen the fisheries sector.

Aumentado emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to agriculture alongside tourism, Bohol’s top economic drivers.

He highlighted agriculture’s role in sustaining the province during the pandemic and the importance of boosting food security.

“Itugyan ug isalig na namo kaninyo ang tanan, dako ni nga investment. Ang inyong dakong contribution ang inyong kakugi, naay ma-income, ug kamo maka-una ug konsumo,” Aumentado said.

(We will entrust and trust you with everything, this is a big investment. Your great contribution is your hard work, you will have an income, and you will be able to consume first.)

The provincial government also plans a hatchery network to increase local fish production, reduce dependence on outside sources, and address rising fish prices. (ECB/PIA7)

Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, and Provincial Agriculturist Liza Quirog led the stocking of fingerlings in a 5,500 sq.m. pond at the Bohol Organic Agriculture Technology (BOATech) Center in Ubay town on August 20. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)