ENRIQUE VILLANUEVA, Siquijor (PIA) -- After five decades, members of the Lumangcapan United Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (LUFFA) reveled in joy after a hefty haul of milkfish (bangus).

"After about 50 years, karon lang ta naka harvest og bangus sa Enrique Villanueva,” said Teresita Jimenez, agriculture technologist 1 and officer-in-charge municipal agriculture officer of Enrique Villanueva. 

(After about 50 years, it is only recently that we have harvested milkfish from Enrique Villanueva.)

Jimenez declared 1,098 kg. bangus harvest from Lomangcapan, Enrique Villanueva fish pen was very successful.

"The harvest projection is just about 1,056 kilos at 80 percent survival rate with a target weight of 333 grams/piece and three pieces per kilo. But the total harvest from the fish pen reached 1,098 kilos,” she said.

The harvest highlighted the hard work of LUFFA members in maximizing the aquaculture sub-program of the BFAR.

LUFFA is among the recipients of the Sustainable Aquaculture Development (SAAD) Bangus fish pen project, which supports sustainable aquaculture practices to enhance fisherfolk livelihoods and improve food security in the Philippines.

Four thousand fingerlings for 46 fish cage units were provided to LUFFA, as part of the livelihood project, which is a component of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' (BFAR) Fisheries Development Program (FDP).

The association received P265,667.90 worth of materials and supplies from BFAR for the Bangus Fishpen Culture Project with the assistance of technical advisors for the construction, operation, and upkeep of the project.

"Medyo daghan tang plano for our aquaculture to ease the pressure on capture fishery,” Jimenez added. 

(We have many plans for our aquaculture to alleviate the pressure on capture fishery.) 

Through this initiative, LUFFA aims to further boost the local economy, enhance food security, and empower the farming and fishing communities of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor.

Anselmo Dahili, 62, from Lumangcapan, and president of the association expressed his gratitude for their current situation, stating that their association is now very strong.

"Nalipay ko sa taga BFAR nga nakaseminar mi ani kay gitagaan mi ug project. Paningkamotan nako nga maimprove gyud ning project kay mao ni akong gipangandoy aron akong mga sakop, malipay pud,” he said. 

(I am happy that we attended this seminar organized by BFAR because they provided us with a project. I will strive to truly improve this project because this is what I have been dreaming of and so that my team members will also be happy).

On the other hand, Vivian L. Sumalpong of BFAR mentioned that miscommunication can sometimes occur in groups, especially when it comes to allocating resources or future responsibilities.

However, they stepped in to help clarify these issues in order to avoid chaos or confusion and to make sure that everyone involved understood their roles and responsibilities clearly.

"As grupo naa usahay ang dili pagkasinabtanay ilabi na gyud ang pagbahinay sa abot, pero kaming mga taga BFAR mutabang mi nila pagpasabot aron malikay sa kagubot,” said Sumalpong. 

(As a group, sometimes there's lack of understanding, especially when it comes to fair and equal share of harvest, but we at BFAR help explained to them to avoid confusion.) 

The association expressed its appreciation to BFAR for their vital assistance with this project that has improved the livelihood of fisherfolks in the area. (CAG/PIA7- Siquijor)