Establishment of marine hatchery in northern Iloilo to create jobs for Ilonggos

More income-generating activities and employment opportunities are expected to become available in northern Iloilo after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law three measures that include the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in Northern Iloilo State University (NISU-Batad Campus).

Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11735 which orders the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to establish, within three years, a satellite multi-species marine hatchery and transfer its management to NISU.

Iloilo Fifth District Representative Raul Boboy Tupas, the principal author of the said law, said around P23-million fund will be allocated by the national government.

The fund will be used for the ongoing research and experiment on breeding and production of marine species applicable to local situations and to discover new methods and technology that will benefit the fishery sector.

“We are very happy gid kay finally na-aprubahan na ang aton una nga satellite hatchery. This will provide income sa aton mga pumuluyo, especially those nga sa marginalized sector. We are also happy nga BFAR also welcomed this good news and said they are ready to train our locals,” Tupas said.

Aside from the satellite hatchery in Batad, Tupas also revealed that he is waiting for the approval of the three bills he filed. These are the establishment of central hatcheries in Carles and Barotac Viejo and one satellite hatchery in Concepcion.

“The reasons why we chose these areas because we have institution partners there that are studying and offering the subject on fisheries and aquaculture programs. Hopefully before the term of President Duterte ends, ma pirmahan na ini kay gamay na lang ang I compile naton. If indi siya ma pirmahan, we will refile this sa new administration,” he said.

The establishment of the satellite hatchery in Batad will help the locals and those belong to the marginalized sector. It will house saltwater fishes that will be a source of income to the locals. The central hatcheries in Carles and Barotac Viejo will serve as breeding grounds for bangus or milk fish.IMT