𝐛𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐌. 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐬

Manticao, Misamis Oriental — To promote sustainable aquaculture development and enhance local fish production, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), in coordination with its Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) in Misamis Oriental, implemented a ₱1.2-million project under the National Bangus Development Program (NBDP) in this municipality on June 26, 2025.

The intervention aimed to strengthen the milkfish industry in Manticao, create sustainable livelihood opportunities for coastal residents, and contribute to local food security—particularly in areas where aquaculture resources  remain underutilized.

The project’s primary beneficiary is the Purok-3 Fisherfolk and Rescue Association (PFRA), a DOLE-registered and LGU-accredited organization based at Purok-3B, Punta Silum, Manticao. The association consists of 30 active male members, including 5 senior citizens, and 3 others who are currently inactive due to old age. Despite these challenges, PFRA remains firmly committed to improving its members’ economic well-being through responsible fisheries and community-based resource management.

As part of the intervention, PFRA received one unit of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) fish cage, 10,000 pieces of bangus fingerlings, aquaculture feeds and availed of technical assistance from BFAR 10 technical personnel to enhance their knowledge and skills in bangus culture.

The Association was already capacitated  with a training on Bangus Culture in Fish Cage held on June 18, 2025, which was facilitated by the technical personnel from the PFO in Misamis Oriental. The orientation emphasized proper fish cage management, effective bangus culture techniques, appropriate feeding practices, and responsible use of marine resources—promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship to ensure the long-term productivity and profitability of the project.

To officially mark the start of their aquaculture activities in the area , PFRA commenced its bangus grow-out operations with the simultaneous stocking of 10,000 fingerlings on June 21 and 25, 2025, respectively. 

The BFAR-10 continues to demonstrate its strong support in enabling organized fisherfolk through technical capacity-building, livelihood assistance, and sustainable aquaculture projects that contribute to food security, poverty reduction, and improved income for coastal communities, in partnership with its provincial fisheries offices.