Al Jun Magamano

Iligan City — On August 19, 2025, the Provincial Fisheries Office in Lanao del Norte (PFO-LDN), in collaboration with the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) Fisheries Division in Iligan City, officially launched the Tilapia Satellite Hatchery of the Mahanaim Farmers Cooperative in Sitio Mahanaim, Rogongon, Iligan City.

Led by Provincial Fishery Officer Jerose G. Acut and Fisheries Division Chief Ferly K. Anghag, the activity included the stocking of Get Excel tilapia breeders and a training session on hatchery operation and management. The hatchery is expected to produce at least 500,000 – 1 million tilapia fry and fingerlings annually, providing a reliable and affordable supply of seed stock to local fish farmers.

“This project empowers our cooperative members and strengthens upland aquaculture development in Iligan City,” said PFO Acut. The initiative is also seen as a step toward reducing dependence on external hatcheries, cutting transport costs, and ensuring higher survival rates of fry.

Jenner Coronado, Chairman of the Mahanaim Farmers Cooperative, expressed his gratitude saying, “Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa suporta nga among nadawat gikan sa PFO ug City Agriculturist’s Office. Kini nga hatchery maghatag ug dakong tabang sa among mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda diri sa Rogongon. Sa una, lisod ug mahal kaayo ang pagpangita ug fingerlings, karon adunay na kitay kaugalingong tinubdan.”

(We are very grateful for the support we received from the PFO and the City Agriculturist’s Office. This hatchery will greatly help our farmers and fisherfolk here in Rogongon. Before, it was difficult and costly to find fingerlings, but now we have our own source.)

The establishment of the Rogongon hatchery demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting rural cooperatives, improving food security, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for fisherfolk and farmers.