Kalibo To Operate Hatchery

Aims To Be WV’s “Bulgan” Supplier

By Venus G. Villanueva

Fishery experts from SEAFDEC and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently conducted assessment of Kalibo’s “Bulgan” (sea bass) hatchery to determine its readiness to operate soon.

The fish hatchery will be operated by LGU Kalibo, Municipal Agricultural Services Division. The hatchery assessment was requested by Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo through a letter addressed to BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento.

“Bulgan” or sea bass is of one of the country’s resilient fish species which can thrive in changing water temperature and climate. It also matures fast so propagation for commercial purposes is ideal.

In Aklan, sea bass is very much in demand, especially in the island of Boracay, which fetches a good price.

Kalibo’s municipal officials are optimistic that with the sea bass hatchery operation, the town could be Western Visayas’ supplier of fingerlings and mature sea bass or “bulgan”, as well.

The presence of government agencies in Kalibo, Aklan that aid farmers and fishermen in processing marine and meat products for added value and better marketing appeal can also enable bulgan to be an export product of Aklan, just like its Pina cloth, nito handicrafts and deboned milkfish (bangus).

Kalibo’s move to be a sea bass producer jibes with the country’s current program to promote agri-exports, which sea bass could be a part.

In a recent move to strengthen existing export markets and tap new ones for the country’s agricultural products, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has teamed up with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Export Development Council (EDC) in promoting agricultural and fishery products overseas.

The four agencies, represented by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Philippine Exports Confederation Sergio Ortiz-Luis signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on this joint undertaking before the Cabinet meeting recently.

Yap said the MOA covers priority categories in the agri-fishery sector such as fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, root crops, natural fiber, horticulture, plantation crops, wood products, herbal products and natural ingredients.

Yap said the program to sustain and accelerate farm growth and raise the profitability of agriculture for its small stakeholders is in compliance with Mala-cañang’s directive to focus on sustaining food security and creating jobs as embodied in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP). /MP