Cordillera fish production up 8 percent, says BFAR

BOKOD, Benguet — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced an eight percent increase in the fish production in the Cordillera, a big chunk of the increase recorded in the “tilapia” production of Ambuklao Dam, here.

BFAR Director Asis Perez made the announcement before fisherfolk here during the inauguration of the new P5.5-million fisheries post-harvest facility near the dam last Friday.

“Finally, these facilities are ready for operations with the hope that it will boost your income,” Asis said. “The agency is happy that residents of the Cordillera are striving to improve the fishery industry from rivers and reservoir like Ambuklao Dam,” he added.

Before, the region was only recording a fish sufficiency level of three percent, which had increased at a fast pace, enough reason for the government to give back to the farmers through infrastructures that will further boost fish production.

He related that in a visit in 2012, he saw the system whereby from the fishpen in the reservoir, fishermen simply laid the fish on the road, exposed them to the heat of the sun while they packaged and weighed the fish.

“I advised BFAR regional office to recommend the putting-up of a post-harvest facility where the fishes can be stored, which was immediately acted upon by President Aquino and released the fund that was used for the construction of the facility,” Asis added.

At present, there are 83 fish-cage owners on the six-hectare portion of the reservoir.

SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) that manages the facility allowed the activity in support to the livelihood of the locals, particularly the Bantey-Pesik-Kiweng Organization (BANPIKO) Incorporated – who became beneficiaries after losing a livelihood following the  construction of the dam in 1959. The support being part of the Corporate Social Responsibility program of Aboitiz.

An average of one metric ton of tilapia and other fresh water fish species like silver carp and “dalag” from fish cages and the open water is harvested daily.

Perez said the post harvest facility will make fish products from this town of high quality and hygienic adding-on to the tasty fish-meat of tilapia from Ambuklao.