BONTOC, Mountain Province – A P2.3-million Municipal Multi-Species Fish Breeding Center was turned over by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera to the municipal government on Monday, Sept. 5.
The facility in Sitio Lubo, Barangay Talubin is the first breeding center to be maintained by a municipal local government unit in Mountain Province.
The DA-BFAR-CAR provided P2.3 million to improve the breeding center while the Bontoc LGU contributed P100,000 as counterpart fund.
Administrative Officer IV Ross Kiat-ong of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist said the improvement of the breeding center which commenced in December 2021 will not only cater to the demand of quality fingerlings in the municipality but will also serve as a learning and research facility for students as well as the community.
Kiat-ong added that initial breeding operation would include three fish species: Tilapia, carp, and Japanese Fish.
BFAR Provincial Field Officer Martha Estima, representing Regional Director Lilibeth Signey, said that the availability of an operational breeding center will reduce mortality during fry transport previously experienced from sourcing out fingerlings from neighboring provinces.
Estima solicited the support of local fisherfolk for the breeding center’s sustainability and development.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong Jr. thanked the DA-CAR for
its constant and continued support to the municipality.
Tudlong said that the breeding center would be a great avenue for further development in the agriculture sector as it would provide employment and business opportunities.