MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon—To enhance the technical and entrepreneurial capabilities of fisherfolk in implementing the grow-out culture of tilapia in freshwater ponds throughout one production cycle, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region-10 (BFAR-10) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manolo Fortich and the Santiago Integrated Crop Farmers Association (SICFA) for the implementation of the 24-Week Season-Long Training on Grow-out Culture of Tilapia in Freshwater Ponds.

Held on August 3, 2026, at the New Government Center Lobby in Manolo Fortich, the launching marks the start of the six-month training program, which will run until January 2027. The program aims to strengthen freshwater aquaculture production while equipping participating fisherfolk with the technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills needed to manage tilapia production throughout an entire culture cycle.

Before the signing ceremony, BFAR-10 Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD) Training Specialist II Majen Casinillo presented an overview of the project, highlighting its objectives, implementation framework, expected outputs, and the roles and responsibilities of the partner institutions in ensuring the successful conduct of the training.

Manolo Fortich was selected as a beneficiary of the program because of its strong potential for freshwater aquaculture, abundant freshwater resources, strategic access to markets, and sustained support from the local government for fisheries development. According to Casinillo, these favorable conditions provide an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the season-long training and the long-term growth of the municipality’s aquaculture industry.

Casinillo also emphasized that, unlike the bureau’s conventional training approach, the program provides continuous, hands-on guidance to fisherfolk throughout the entire tilapia production cycle, from fish pond preparation and production to harvesting and the management of their aquaculture businesses.

The agreement was formally signed by Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, SICFA President Rony S. Sarento, and BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward B. Yasay, who was represented by RFTFCD Chief Noel M. Saldajeno, Fisheries Production and Support Services Division (FPSSD) Chief Vianney Anthony A. Gapuz, and the designated Provincial Fisheries Officer in Bukidnon, Gekie Sy.

Witnessing the signing were Bukidnon Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño, Vice Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas Jr., Municipal Agriculturist Gemma G. Cania, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, department heads, and members of the Santiago Integrated Crop Farmers Association (SICFA).

With the strong collaboration among the LGU of Manolo Fortich, BFAR-10, and SICFA, alongside the support of the administration of Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, the initiative is expected to enhance aquaculture productivity, farmers’ incomes, and food security.

The launching proceeded with an orientation for the beneficiaries from the Santiago Integrated Crop Farmers Association (SICFA), composed of 20 members from Barangays Santiago and Guilang-Guilang, including members of the Higaonon community.

During the orientation, the President of SICFA expressed gratitude for the project, saying that the community was especially grateful that the initiative had gone beyond a one-time activity and would provide sustained guidance throughout the production cycle:

“Among kinasingkasing gyud nga pagpasalamat kaninyo. Nalipay kaayo mi nga nahimo gyud ning Season-Long Training—dili lang kutob sa launching, kundili hangtod mahuman gyud ang project. Nalipay pud mi nga padayon mo nga moanhi ug mogiya kanamo. Welcome gyud mo diri kanunay. Kami diri sa Barangay Santiago, nalipay kaayo kay ang among dugay nang gipaabot, naa na gyud karon ug nagsugod na.”

This was followed by the remarks of Barangay Kagawad Marcelo Gonhay, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have the training conducted in their barangay. He emphasized that the knowledge and practical skills participants will gain—from tilapia production and grow-out management to managing their own aquaculture enterprises—could eventually help improve their families’ livelihoods.

The program then proceeded with the turnover of seven sacks of feed to the beneficiaries, providing the participants with initial inputs to support the implementation of their training activities.

Following the turnover, the beneficiaries formally began their orientation with opening remarks from RFTFCD Chief Noel M. Saldajeno. He encouraged the participants to reflect on three key questions throughout the training: “What can we do? What do we want to do? And what have we done?” These questions served as a reminder for the participants to not only learn the technical aspects of tilapia production but also translate their knowledge into concrete actions and results.

The training then proceeded with a lecture led by FPSSD Technical Alternate Chief Brian Sanggoyod on the introduction to tilapia, covering its origin and the current status of tilapia production. The session began by establishing the participants’ baseline knowledge of tilapia, followed by a pre-test to assess their initial understanding of the subject. After the discussion, an open question-and-answer session was conducted to address the participants’ concerns and clarify key points covered during the lecture.

Tilapia remains one of the country’s strategic aquaculture commodities due to its high market demand, adaptability to freshwater environments, and significant contribution to food security. Through the implementation of the program, BFAR-10 aims to increase fish production, enhance the technical competencies of fisherfolk, and promote sustainable livelihood opportunities in the municipality. (𝙋𝘼𝘾𝙍-𝘽𝙁𝘼𝙍-10)