CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–About 3,000 Tilapia fingerlings were released into the Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) at Barangay Pagatpat by the Rotary Club of Carmen Valley, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-10 and the City Agriculture Office (CAO) here as part of their collaborative efforts in supporting communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our club has been built on a strong leadership foundation, and I am fortunate to have a membership that is fully committed to the Rotary ideal of service above self, and carrying out the many worthwhile projects that we undertake for the benefit of our community,” Rotary Club of Carmen Valley President Merlyn Ybañez said.
In this private-public partnership, BFAR-10 and CAO provided the technical assistance for the release of the fingerlings in the SWIP while the Rotary Club extended manpower and financial assistance.
According to BFAR-10 Senior Aquaculturist Arlene Novo, the barangay can expect to yield full grown tilapias in five to eight months depending on water temperature. She supervised the proper release of the fingerlings as tilapias are known to compete with indigenous species in water bodies.
Barangay Captain Roel Gabo welcomed the initiative and thanked BFAR-10, Rotary Club of Carmen Valley, and other key agencies for the assistance on behalf of the household-beneficiaries who were badly affected by the disruption caused by the global health crisis.
With the expected growth of the 3,000 Tilapias, Barangay Pagatpat can have access to pisciculture that can be used for personal consumption or create a high-value chain system that would give income for its residents.
“It has been said that if you give a man a fish you will feed him for a day, teach a man how to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime, but I say teach them how to make fish ponds so you can feed communities,” Project Manager Rosario Pineda said. (VPSB/PIA10)
