BANGUS FINGERLINGS. Fisherfolk in Barangay Pag-asa, Olongapo City release 12,000 'bangus' fingerlings which were provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3). Last year, BFAR-3 awarded 10,800 bangus fingerlings to the fisherfolk association in the village as part of the agency's efforts to boost the fish industry in the region. (Photo courtesy of Olongapo City Agriculture Office)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3) has provided additional 12,000 "bangus" (milkfish) fingerlings to a fisherfolk association in Olongapo City as part of the agency’s continuing efforts to help boost the local fish industry in the region.
BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Wednesday the provision of bangus fingerlings aims to help sustain the livelihood of the fisherfolk association in Barangay Pag-asa, Olongapo City.
The BFAR-3, in partnership with the city government, awarded the fisherfolk an initial 10,800 bangus fingerlings in December last year.
“We provided additional fingerlings in order to sustain the livelihood we initiated for the fisherfolks,” Cruz said in an interview.
Last month, the association harvested some 230 kilograms of bangus which were sold to Olongapo "tinapa" (smoked fish) makers at a lower cost and were given for free to chosen communities.
Olongapo City agriculture officer Francis Ela Maniago said some 3,500 to 4,000 pieces of bangus are expected to be harvested by the fisherfolk association this month.
Maniago led Wednesday the release of the additional bangus fingerlings to the fish cage put up by BFAR-3 in Pag-asa River.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng tumulong upang maisakatuparan ang proyektong ito (Thank you very much to all those who helped to make realize this project),” the fisherfolk association said. (PNA)
