Zamboanga del Sur – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office IX turned over two (2) units of Floating Bamboo Cages with a dimension of 10m x 10m x 2m, ten thousand (10,000) pcs. tilapia fingerlings and commercial feeds on November 25 and 26, 2021, to two (2) fisherfolk associations in San Miguel and Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.
The activity was spearheaded by Regional Director Isidro M. Velayo, Jr. together with Mr. Marlon B. Dagandan, Chief of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division, Ms. Mona M. Macabuat, Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Fishery Officer, and other DA-BFAR IX personnel. The Lake Dasay Fisherfolk Association is composed of 15 members represented by Mr. Nilo Subingsubing together with Hon. Angelito L. Martinez, Mayor of San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur and Mr. Marvin L. Talas, Municipal Agriculturist received the initial livelihood intervention project.
The DA-BFAR project is the first and only fish cage established within Lake Dasay located in Sayog, San Miguel. Lake Dasay is a mountain lake with a total area of 40 hectares and an elevation of more than 200 meters above sea level surrounded by forestland. Meanwhile, the other floating bamboo cage project was received by Lakewood Mhegutos Association (LAMAS) composed of 30 members represented by their President, Mr. Romulo D. Ferrer. LAMAS is based in Lake Wood, Poblacion, Lakewood. Lake Wood is the largest freshwater lake in Zamboanga Peninsula with a total area of 738 hectares and an elevation of more than 300 meters above sea level.
RD Velayo in his message emphasized the preservation of the ecological balance of nature by recommending to the LGU to limit the number of cages to be established and prevent pollution in the lake which can cause a fish kill. Furthermore, he stressed that only 10% of the total area of the lake should be allotted for aquaculture production to ensure the good growth of tilapia. The presidents of the two associations were very grateful to DA-BFAR IX for being selected as recipients of the project and the opportunity to become tilapia growers contributing to the province’s food security. Both groups promised that they would take care of the project given.
(Source: BFAR 9)
