by: Patricia Aisabelle Rosales

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region – 10 (BFAR-10), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bukidnon and various stakeholders, led the 2nd Tilapia Festival on April 15, 2026 at the Kaamulan Grounds, Malaybalay City, alongside the Kaamulan Festival 2026, recognizing efforts to strengthen aquaculture production and support fisherfolk livelihoods in the province.

Under the theme, “Tilapia in Bukidnon: From Pond to Plate, Advancing Together” the activity gathered fisherfolk, local government units, and partner agencies in strengthening coordination to enhance tilapia production and push forward sustainable fisheries development.

In her opening remarks, Provincial Fisheries Officer (PFO) Gekie S. Sy magnified the significance of unity among stakeholders in sustaining and advancing the tilapia industry in Bukidnon through fish sufficiency and economic development.

“Kini nga tema nagpasabot sa lig-on nga panaghiusa sa mga fisherfolk, LGUs, ug mga ahensya sa gobyerno aron mapalambo ang tilapia industry sa Bukidnon. Gikan sa atong mga fishpond padulong sa lamesa sa matag panimalay, nagtinabangay kita sa pagpalig-on sa produksyon, seguridad sa pagkaon, ug kauswagan sa ekonomiya,” Sy said.

Sy underscored Bukidnon’s strong aquaculture potential, particularly in tilapia production, noting that based on data from the FishCore Project, 2,444 fishponds were recorded in neighboring provinces including Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental. However, based on the Updated List of Aquafarms (ULAF) submitted by the Local Government Units (LGUs) to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bukidnon alone accounts for 2,964 fishponds, reflecting its strong production capacity in the aquaculture sector.

Meanwhile, BFAR-10 Regional Director Edward B. Yasay said that Bukidnon continues to show strong potential for aquaculture development due to abundant water resources and sustained government support.

“Dako gyud ang potensyal sa probinsya sa Bukidnon sa aquaculture, ilabi na sa atong mga katubigan nga angay alang sa pagpadaghan sa tilapia,” Yasay said.

He added that continued research, training, and technology interventions are helping increase production despite small-scale operations. He added that tilapia production in Bukidnon continues to increase to meet market demand, with the commodity emerging as a high-demand product not only in local markets but also in other areas. Despite starting from small-scale operations, he emphasized that continued research, training, and technology interventions are helping drive growth and further develop the industry.

“Sa pagkakaron, ang produksyon sa tilapia sa Bukidnon padayon nga nagkataas aron matubag ang panginahanglan sa merkado. Karon, klaro nga ang tilapia maoy emerging commodity tungod sa taas nga demand—dili lamang sa lokal nga merkado, apan usab sa ubang lugar. Bisan pa nga nagsugod kita sa small-scale operations, padayon ang atong paningkamot nga mapalambo kini pinaagi sa pagtuon, panukiduki, ug pagpalambo sa teknolohiya. Sa pagkakaron, ang produksyon sa tilapia sa Bukidnon padayon nga nagkataas aron matubag ang panginahanglan sa merkado,” he added.

Representing Honorable Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Assistant Provincial Administrator Mercy Ebcas expressed gratitude to the Bureau for its unending support to the fisheries sector. 

“On behalf of the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, we extend our warmest congratulations for simultaneously celebrating the event, showing the abundance of the province. Daghang salamat sa inyong padayon nga suporta sa atong sektor sa pangisda,” Ebcas said. 

She also emphasized that tilapia goes beyond being a source of food, describing it as a symbol of livelihood, resilience and self- sufficiency by saying, “Ang tilapia dili lamang usa ka pagkaon, kundi simbolo kini sa panginabuhi, kalig-on, ug self-sufficiency sa atong komunidad.”

The festival featured the ribbon-cutting of the Trade Fair and Market, ceremonial turnover of fingerlings, Biggest Tilapia Contest, Tilapia Fry-to-Fly Contest, Drawing Contest, and Cooking Contest. The Tilapia Grilling event featured simultaneous fish grilling, which was participated by different LGUs.

In the afternoon, participants attended lectures on Good Aquaculture Practices by Chief of Fisheries Production & Support Services Division (FPSSD) Vianney Gapuz and discussions on Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) by Chief of Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD), Noel M. Saldajeno.

Winners from various contests were recognized during the awarding ceremony:

Tilapia Culture Contest – 1st: Fritze Integrated Farm (Quezon); 2nd: Junsan Farm (Cabanglasan); 3rd: Blue Monkey Farm (Malaybalay City).

Biggest “Pinaka” Tilapia Contest – 1st: LGU Lantapan; 2nd: LGU Kibawe; 3rd: LGU Pangantucan.

Tilapia Cooking Contest – 1st: LGU Impasug-ong; 2nd: LGU Kalilangan; 3rd: LGU Maramag.

Poster Making Contest – 1st: LGU Malaybalay City; 2nd: LGU Manolo Fortich; 3rd: LGU Maramag.

Tilapia Fry-to-Fly Challenge – 1st: LGU Valencia City; 2nd: LGU Kibawe; 3rd: LGU Pangantucan.

The ongoing commitment to strengthen the tilapia industry and support responsible aquaculture practices in Bukidnon and Northern Mindanao marked the conclusion of the activity, with BFAR-10, LGUs, and stakeholders expressing continued support for the sector.

Part of the event was the Post-Harvest Symposium, which featured Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) success stories shared by Lilian Antigua, President of the Fisherfolk of Agusan Aquatic Agriculture Cooperative (FAAACO), and Kirstie D. Fuentes, general owner of Cristy Pasalubong Food Products in Ozamiz City.

Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Lilith M. Turan expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their continued support of the agriculture and fisheries sector.

“Bisan pa sa kamahal sa plite ug gasolina, daghang salamat sa inyong presensya karon. Nagpakita kini sa inyong dedikasyon sa sektor sa agrikultura ug pangisda,” Turan said.

She added that continued cooperation among LGUs, fisherfolk, and partner agencies is important in sustaining the development of the local fisheries sector.