ILOILO CITY – The province of Capiz is awaiting the approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to establish a new aquaculture feed mill plant.
CATFISH produced in Capiz province. (BFAR-6)
This was after the 19th Congress approved the consolidated bills, which will establish an aquaculture feed mill plant in Panay town.
The proposal stemmed from House Bill No. 7500 authored by outgoing Capiz first district Rep. Emmanuel “Tawi” Billones and Capiz second district Rep. Jane “Baby Jane” Castro.
Outgoing Sen. Cynthia Villar was the principal author in the Senate.
Once approved, funds will be appropriated for the construction of the feed mill plant in Barangay Bahit.
Capiz is known as the “Seafood Capital” of the Philippines and has a thriving aquaculture industry.
The Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) said Capiz ranks first in aquaculture production in Western Visayas region last year.
Capiz faces a major challenge as it has been sourcing its feeds from Manila and Cebu, increasing production costs.
The proposed feed mill plant will help the local aquaculture industry by producing 30 metric tons of fish feed per day.
Villar said the feel mill will directly benefit fish farmers.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to conduct a feasibility study on the project.
The national government will turn over the management and operation to the Capiz provincial government once the project is completed.