CEBU CITY – A town in northern Cebu has started its P168.4-million agri-fisheries initiatives as part of its development roadmap to boost its food production.
Bantayan Mayor Arthur Despi said the Mariculture Park Fingerling Seeding is one of the big programs that his administration will undertake with the help of the Department of Agriculture Region-Central Visayas (DA Region 7).
Dr. Allan Poquita, director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 7 (BFAR Region 7), explained in a media briefing that the mariculture park is in preparation for the putting up of the Multi-Species Fish Hatchery.
Poquita said a P30-million fund has been allocated for the hatchery.
The two projects are part of the BFAR Region 7’s mission to fulfill its mandate of ensuring food security, Poquita said.
"We need to produce fish because not only it is in demand, prices of food have been increasing. Before, fish is the cheapest source of protein but that is no longer the case now,” Poquita said.
Once the projects are completed, Bantayan will have the capacity to produce fingerlings of various fish and blue crabs.
Despi is looking to transform the town as a prime supplier of seafood products.
“We are hoping that these projects will help our restoration program after our tourism industry was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Despi said.
In line with its restoration program, the town held its first-ever Bantayan Food Fair wherein the town’s products, mostly seafood, were showcased.
Despi said the town intends to make the food fair a regular activity by establishing a food park.