LGU Baybay rehabilitates the lot where the Provincial Fisheries Training Center is being constructed

Part of the lot where the Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Training Development and Product Display Center is being constructed was damaged due to typhoon Agaton.  Thus, the city immediately scoured and rehabilitated the area so as not to obstruct the construction of the project. This was revealed by Engr. Rolly Rebeca of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) of Baybay City who personally inspected the area after the typhoon.

It could be recalled that the Groundbreaking Ceremony of this project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was held in November 10, 2021 at Sitio Cienda, Barangay Gabas of this city.

According to Assistant Regional Director Cylet Salvacion C. Lluz of BFAR Region 8, “We would not have this project if the Local Government Unit of the City of Baybay has not provided the tenurial documents needed.  This shows your commitment and this is a very good example of what will happen if there is a strong coordination between the LGU and the national government.” This is because the City of Baybay purchased the lot where the said training center is being constructed.

For her part, Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez of the Department of Agriculture Region 8 extended her congratulations to Baybay City Mayor Hon. Jose Carlos L. Cari, “Because seldom could you find the kind of Local Chief Executive who supports agricultural development.  I also acknowledge the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Atty. Ernesto Butawan because one of the elements why agricultural development prospers in a particular Local Government Unit (LGU) is the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).”

RED Enriquez added that with the support provided by the Baybay City LGU, there is no reason why this future learning site for fisheries will not be successful.

It could be recalled that Mayor Cari mandated LGU Consultant Mr. Z Jose Tabudlong to look for vacant lands in the barangays that are suitable for fishponds production. As of date, there are 46 fishpond production sites in 33 barangays of the City of Baybay. And to ensure that there will be enough fingerlings for the tilapia producers, the city also established the Freshwater Satellite Hatchery with the help of BFAR.

While in preparation for the possible surplus in tilapia production, the BFAR introduced the Aqua-Base Business School with Gender and Climate Change Perspective Tilapia Production and Value Addition where the participants were trained to make Tilapia Fish Nuggets, Tilapia Fish Crackers, Tilapia Fish Kropek, and others which can serve as additional source of income for the fisherfolk and his family. And with the construction of the Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Training Development and Product Display Center, more fisherfolks will be trained to become entrepreneurs.

Finally, Congressman Carl Nicolas C. Cari of the 5th District of Leyte said that, “We have been dreaming of projects like this so that no more families will suffer from hunger, not just in Baybay City but also in the whole 5th District of Leyte.” Thus, he is hopeful that both the DA-RFO VIII and the BFAR VIII will help again in the establishment of the legislated Multi-species Hatchery in Barangay Hilapnitan of this city.

Mayor Cari, on the other hand, said that projects like this happen in the city because of the 100% support of the SP, the technical and financial support from the national government, efforts of the City Agriculture and the Coastal Resources and Fishery Management Office staff of the City of Baybay, and the cooperation of the farmers and fisherfolks. (Marissa M. Cano, City Information Officer, Baybay City, Leyte)

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