Regional director Remia Aparri of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office VI and Dan Baliao, chief of the Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD), signed a memorandum of agreement recently on feasibility studies (FS) to be conducted over the proposed multi-species hatcheries in Sagay and Cauayan in Negros Occidental.
The MOA, signed at the SEAFDEC-AQD in Iloilo, details the partnership for the preparation of the FS, with BFAR6 committing to allocate and transfer P1 million to SEAFDEC-AQD.
The amount is intended to facilitate “comprehensive market, technical, financial, socioeconomic, and management feasibility studies” to determine whether the projects are economically-viable, based on a set of criteria. SEAFDEC-AQD is expected to submit an Aquaculture Development Plan as part of the collaboration.
The proposed multi-species hatchery in Sagay was introduced by 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III through House Bill 7101, while the hatchery in Cauayan is being pushed by 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez via HB 8143.
The feasibility study is a vital document to support the funding of the multi-species hatcheries in the two local government units, the BFAR said in a press release, adding that a positive outcome from the study will mean that the House bills will be elevated to the Senate for endorsement and approval, until they become law.
These multi-species hatcheries are aligned with the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan, and are expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fry, achieve reliable supply and sources of seed stocks, and reduce pressures on wild stocks through farming, the BFAR said.
Also present at the MOA signing were SEAFDEC team members, Dr. Edgar Amar of the Training and Information Division, Dr. Roger Edward Mamauag of the Technology Verification and Extension Division, Dr. Leobert dela Pena of the Research Division, and Amelita Subosa of the Administration and Finance Division.
Joel Abalayan, chief of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division, and Riza Chua, senior aquaculturist of DA-BFAR 6 also witnessed the MOA signing. ||
