‘Save the Ludong’ gets support from Vigan exec

By Josa Mai Ramirez

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur -- The Save the Abra River Project got support from a local official  here  who promised  to push for a provincial ordinance  supporting  Administrative Circular No. 247 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that protects the “Ludong,” in the Abra River and formation of committee that would regulate the catching of the rare fish.

Lawyer Pablito Sanidad, Jr., chairman of the city council committee on agriculture and fisheries of Vigan assured this  during 10th consultation meeting of the technical working group of the Save the Abra River Project earlier in this Heritage City.

Sanidad’s statement boosted implementation of BFAR circular passed last year but remains unenforced. Because of this, the endangered Ludong remains at risk of extinction.

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Research, ‘ Ludong is a freshwater mullet that is endemic to Cagayan River and tributaries extending through the watersheds of Cagayan Valley and in Santa-Abra River systems of Ilocos Sur and Abra.’ 

It is said to be the  best tasting and most expensive fish in the Philippines.

Relative to the preservation of ludong,  Evelyn Amin from BFAR Region II reported result of their research on the two  existing species of ludong, the Cestraeusoxyrhynchus and Cestraeusgoldiei.

Amin said they have laboratory facilities for ludong for researches and experiments to be able to derive information on biology, culture and sexual maturity of the said freshwater fish. 

Meanwhile, Raul Cabungay of the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources– Cordillera said it is safe to swim in the Abra River as indicated in the result of  its  water quality analysis.

He reported that their office conducted water quality analysis from five sampling stations in the Abra River within the province.

A committee tasked to formulate the vision-mission of the Save the Abra River was also  organized with Dr. Isaias Bangana of the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology  – Lagangilang as the chairman.  The committee shall draft the information education campaign materials for the promotion of the BFAR ACNo. 247.

The campaign to save the Abra River carries the slogan, “Agbiag Karayan Abra para ti Masakbayan.”