Two years after proposing a breeding and hatchery facility for milkfish, locally known as bangus in the country, the provincial government of Pangasinan continues to actively collaborate with the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in anticipation for the subproject’s (SPs) inclusion under Scale-Up funding. 

On June 6, Tuesday, PRDP staff from the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), Project Support Office (PSO), and Regional Project Coordination Office 1 (RPCO1) held a joint appraisal activity to discuss and finalize additional details of the SP and capacitate the Provincial Project Management Implementing unit (PPMIU) in completing its documentary requirements in line with the PRDP Scale-Up standard. 

The subproject was proposed to help address the inadequate supply of milkfish fry in the country.

As per the report of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) in 2022, the country has been highly reliant on milkfish fry imports. More than 50% of the annual fry requirements in the country were imported from Indonesia and Taiwan. 

After funding is authorized, the bangus breeding and hatchery project will be constructed in Barangay Arneo, Bolinao, with a total project cost of Php 241.5M. 

A total number of 17 municipalities in Pangasinan is expected to benefit, with around 39, 399 fisherfolk, 63 bangus nursery operators, and one bangus satellite hatchery operator. 

Pangasinan is the country’s top producer of bangus, contributing more than 28% in the country’s total production (PSA, 2019). (Joan Dapidap, RPCO1 InfoACE)