An offshoot of the tilapia farming project in Laguna and Batangas that was initiated last year will now benefit families in Ilocos region.
The project, “Tilapia para sa pamayanan sa Amianan,” is an offshoot of the “Tilapia para sa Pamayanan” project funded and implemented by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) last year.
The success of the project in Laguna and Batangas areas has led to the extension of the project in the northern part of Luzon, particularly in the 1st Congressional District of Ilocos Sur.
This project hopes to help provide more families with immediate fish supply and additional income for its beneficiaries especially during this time of pandemic.
In relation to the offshoot project in Ilocos region, the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) of DOST-PCAARRD led by Engr. Eduardo Manalili, IARRD Director organized a series of meetings in Ilocos region to jumpstart the project. Together with Engr. Manalili were Cynthia Almazan and Wilfredo Ibarra of the same division.
The team met with Dr. Armando Ganal, DOST Region 1 Director at the DOST Regional Office in San Fernando, La Union to discuss possible collaboration of the project. They likewise visited the DOST-Prov incial S&T Center (PSTC) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to discuss the objectives and deliverables of the project with Mr. Ramon S. Sumabat, DOST-PSTC Region 1 Director; Prof. Jose Cabatu, Aquaculturist of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College; and Ms. Laurine Sales, Project Staff of DOST PSTC Region 1.
Moreover, the IARRD-PCAARRD team met with Bong Savellano, Chief of Staff of Congressman Deogracias Victor Savellano in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. The potential beneficiaries of the proposed projects were discussed and agreed upon during the meeting.
Three municipalities namely Cabugao, Caoayan, and Sta. Catalina were visited by the IARRD-PCAARRD team wherein existing fishponds and fish cages were evaluated and assessed.
“Tilapia para sa pamayanan sa Amianan” is part of the GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19 program of the DOST-PCAARRD, which started at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.