Tabuk City, Kalinga – Quality and cheaper water fish doesn’t need to come from big fisheries, it can also be produced by small and local farms.
The JEP Fish Farm in Linglingay, Laya East, Tabuk City, is the first farm to have cultured fish from fiber tanks in the province.
Farm owner Jeoffrey Peralta who got his passion in agriculture from his parents and constant exposure to the field while practicing his profession as a Certified Public Accountant dreamed of building a fish farm that would produce affordable freshwater fish for the people in Kalinga.
With this in mind, he attended a training to fully equip himself for the project and sought help for his business capital from Bangko Montañosa, Inc., a homegrown bank in Tabuk that is currently serving the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley.
In the late months of 2023, Peralta’s dream fully turned into reality as the project began its operation.
JEP Fish Farm currently grows fish like ‘tilapia’ and ‘hito’ in ponds and fiber tanks.
Giant gourami is also currently being cultured on the farm but will be available for sale soon. There is also a plan for freshwater shrimp production next year.
Peralta explained that ponds are the natural habitat of freshwater fish. However, they can only accommodate a certain number of fish and are not suitable for mass production unless they are spacious enough.
This is where the fiber tanks come in. With the facility, more fish can be produced even with limited space. Their difference with ponds is that the fiber tanks require constant monitoring at least every two hours.
Apart from growing cheaper ‘tilapia’ which is P140 in retail price and ‘hito’ for P100, Peralta likewise expanded his business to a hatchery to provide quality fingerlings to other fish farmers in Kalinga.
The idea was born from empathy for fellow farmers who got scammed by supposed to be dealers of quality juvenile fish.
To those who are looking for a delicious fish menu, the JEP Fish Farm also serves budget and specialty meals and sells products such as processed fish with no hazardous chemicals added like 'tinapa hito', 'daing hito', and 'dinanggit tilapia'.
Jumping shrimp salad, clams, 'bissukol', and 'liddeg' are also available.
As he introduces the first fish farm using fiber tanks in Kalinga, Peralta assures that their products are guaranteed clean to eat.
He mentioned that their pond water which is from a deep well is clean and safe, as certified by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Kalinga. He added that the fish they grow on their farm is only being fed with vegetables, ‘tuyo’, and feeds.
Apart from a relaxing ambiance and fresh air, the farm likewise offers activities like fishing, picnic, overnight camping, and Yakushi Micro Therapy to visitors.
By May 2024, fish training will be held every month at JEP Fish Farm.
Meantime, building of staycation units and a family recreation place with swimming pools on the farm are currently in the works.
For more information on the farm and their services, you may go over their Facebook page, JEP Fishfarm.
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