DOST-Oriental Mindoro PSTD Jesse Pine Left) and Roxas Mayor, Hon. Leo G. Cusi (right).Photo: dost.gov.ph

Whiteleg shrimp, tilapia aquaculture facility launched in Oriental Mindoro

PHILIPPINES
Monday, August 02, 2021, 14:00 (GMT + 9)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has announced the launch of new community multi-species shed Whiteleg shrimp and tilapia aquaculture facility in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan at Mangingisda ng Sitio Bucana (SNKMB) broke ground for the new aquaculture facility in Sitio Bucana, Barangay San Jose in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro on July 13.

“The aquaculture facility aims to provide a livelihood source to the community with the integration of intensive aquaculture technology in their fish farming practices,” he said during his weekly report on Friday.

He said the project was made possible through DOST Mimaropa’s Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST) program in partnership with SNKMB, local government unit of Roxas (LGU-Roxas), barangay LGU of San Jose (BLGU-San Jose), and Agritektura Enterprises which designed the technology.

CEST is a package of science and technology (S&T) interventions which aims to build progressive, empowered and resilient rural communities.

The program is targeting to empower the poorest and most depressed communities in the country, via S&T interventions in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, livelihood/economic enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

The DOST-Mimaropa noted that Barangay San Jose houses 793 households, 206 of which or 25.98 percent are dependent on fishing as the primary source of income.

It laments that many residents, especially those living near coastal areas have no source of alternative income especially in times where sea fishing is impossible due to inclement weather conditions.

“The intensive fish and shrimp production technology will provide a sustainable source of income for the members as there will be three harvesting seasons per year. The harvest will benefit members through direct selling of fresh seafoods or value-adding,” de la Peña said.

Photo: dost.gov.ph

Among those who attended the groundbreaking ceremony were Oriental Mindoro 2nd district Rep. Alfonso V. Umali Jr.; Roxas Mayor Leo G. Cusi; Vice Mayor Gualberto Magno; Barangay Chairman Danny Talamisan; Agritektura’s ArchitectNeil Francis Quijano; and DOST-Mimaropa Provincial S&T Center in Oriental Mindoro Provincial S&T Director Jesse Pine.

Mayor Cusi expressed hope that the DOST intervention will change the lives of community members and will address their livelihood needs during bad weather conditions.

SNKMB Chairman Robinhood Veloso thanked the DOST-Mimaropa and partner agencies for their assistance, even as he assured them that they will work hard to make the project a success.

Author/Source:  Charissa Luci-Atienza /Manilla Bulletin

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