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Bangus festival to boost aquaculture in Guimaras province

By Perla Lena

December 16, 2022, 7:28 pm

<p><strong>BANGUS FEST</strong>. MIlkfish of various sizes are on display at the one-day Bangus Fair of the provincial government of Guimaras, in partnership with the Sibunag Fish Producers Association. Some 5.1 tons of bangus was allotted for the event held at the Guimaras provincial capitol grounds on Friday (Dec. 16, 2022). <em>(Photo from Guimaras Now FB page)</em></p>

BANGUS FEST. MIlkfish of various sizes are on display at the one-day Bangus Fair of the provincial government of Guimaras, in partnership with the Sibunag Fish Producers Association. Some 5.1 tons of bangus was allotted for the event held at the Guimaras provincial capitol grounds on Friday (Dec. 16, 2022). (Photo from Guimaras Now FB page)

ILOILO CITY – For the first time, the province of Guimaras has provided a venue for "bangus" or milkfish growers in the municipality of Sibunag to showcase their produce through the one-day Bangus Fair that was held at the provincial capitol grounds on Friday.

Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava, in his message during the program, said bangus growing is a promising industry in the town, which started even without intervention from the government.

To provide further support to the sector, he said they intend to establish an agri-fishery industrial village in Barangay Sapal in the nearby town of San Lorenzo to come up with a feed mill not only for livestock and poultry but also for aquaculture, particularly the bangus industry.

This, he added, is aside from incorporating the fishery sector in the tourism circuit.

“Our aim is to lower the cost of production in Guimaras making our products more competitive outside, price-wise,” Nava said.

The five-year data of the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that in 2018, Guimaras shipped out 350 tons of milkfish; almost 800 tons in 2019; 600 tons in 2020; almost 800 tons in 2021. From January to September this year, production has also exceeded more than 1,000 tons.

“With this, we hope that the bangus industry in the province will be strengthened,” said Guimaras provincial agriculturist Alvin Nava in his message, adding that they are trying to introduce the bangus as an emerging industry in the province.

Luben Vilches, chair of the Guimaras Provincial Board's committee on fisheries and aquatic resources, said the province is not only producing quality bangus but is likewise helping build the economy of Sibunag.

“More or less 600 families are dependent on the operation of bangus culture in Sibunag,” he noted.

The Bangus Fair organizer, in partnership with the Sibunag Fish Producers Association, has allotted 5.1 tons of milkfish for the one-day event, which were sold at PHP165 to PHP175 per kilogram. (PNA)

 

 

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