Villa Flora M. Rosos

NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 10 (BFAR-10) conducted a two-day seminar-workshop on Tilapia Culture in Pond Technology Demonstration on July 22–23, 2025, to help local fisherfolk and aquaculture stakeholders improve their skills and income through sustainable tilapia farming.

Members of the Le Fretas Aquaculture Association, an accredited fisherfolk group under the Local Government Unit of Naawan, participated in the activity. On the first day, BFAR-10 aquaculture experts discussed topics on tilapia biology, proper site selection and pond design, feeding management, duckweed production as an affordable high-protein feed, water quality monitoring, and good aquaculture practices such as pond sanitation, biosecurity, and record-keeping.

The training also introduced a 500-sqm demonstration pond in Barangay Lubilan, which will follow proper stocking and feeding practices and serve as a learning site for the community.

On the second day, participants received hands-on guidance in proper pond preparation, including drying, leveling, liming, water conditioning, and monitoring to ensure pond readiness and good fish survival.

Municipal Agriculturist Manny Maglangit encouraged the fisherfolk to stay motivated and optimistic, expressing confidence that the project will bring progress to the community. He emphasized the value of perseverance, saying: “Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw, maraming dahilan.” (“If there’s a will, there’s a way. If there’s none, there are many excuses.”)

BFAR-10 will continue providing technical assistance during the grow-out period. Stocking of tilapia fingerlings and distribution of feed inputs will begin once the pond is ready. The Bureau also encourages interested stakeholders to coordinate with the BFAR Region 10 Regional Office or the nearest Provincial Fishery Office for future training and support.