3 farmer groups in Santa Marcela, Apayao get P.7M aquaculture package

Santa Marcela, Apayao - Three farmer associations in Santa Marcela, Apayao, recently received over P700,000 worth of an aquaculture package from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Cordillera.

This initiative aims to ensure fish sufficiency in Apayao, benefiting local residents.

The beneficiaries include the Anninipan Swip Association, Ilocano-Igorot Upland Farmers Association Inc., and Marcela Weavers Association.

Each received 21,600 tilapia fingerlings and 147 sacks of various feeds such as frymash, pre-starter, starter, grower, and finisher feeds during the distribution ceremony on January 30, 2024.

These three associations, as mentioned by the Apayao Provincial Public Information Office, were selected as recipients of the package for releasing approximately 45,000 fingerlings of tilapia and common carp into Bacut Lake and Tacang Swip.

Expressing her gratitude, Municipal Tourism Officer Rose Lily Ramos, on behalf of Mayor Evelyn Martinez, acknowledged the BFAR-Cordillera's steadfast support to the farmers' associations in the municipality.

"We are very grateful that even if a previous association did not achieve success, there is still assistance provided to us... We hope to maintain collaborative efforts with the associations in the future," she said.

Others present during the ceremony were Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office Provincial Head Philip Uba, Flora Mayor Rodolfo Juan, presidents of the recipient associations, and other officers of BFAR-CAR.