BACOLOD City – A bill seeking the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in E.B. Magalona town, Negros Occidental was filed last week in the House of Representatives.
Cong. Jose Francisco Benitez of the 3rd district introduced House Bill 3890 which aims to further strengthen aquaculture development and further enhance seafood production to benefit local fisherfolks and coastal communities in the province.
The municipality of E.B. Magalona is now a major producer of blue crabs, averaging at five tons per day that are processed for export, Benitez said.
He added the town is also a major source of oysters, sardines, milkfish, threadfin breams, and squid.
In 2016, the municipality launched its Ugyonan Seafood Festival, drawing both local and foreign visitors to the activity and ensuring E.B. Magalona as an exciting destination for seafood lovers.
According to Benitez, the multi-species marine hatchery will ensure the sustainable supply of marine products.
The Bill provides for the supervision of the multi – species marine hatchery for two years by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture. Through a memorandum of agreement, BFAR shall conduct a training and phase-in plan for the local government on the management and operation of the facility./PN
