Some 150 fishpond operators in this province have benefitted from the livelihood assistance being provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–Central Luzon (BFAR-3).

BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Tuesday included in the agency’s livelihood support programs the distribution of fingerlings of tilapia, bangus (milkfish), and other marine species.

He said in a social media post that BFAR wants to make sure fishpond operators are given support since fishing is one of the major industries in the province.

Among the species awarded to fishpond operators were 530,000 post-larvae of Penaeus vannamei shrimp, 250,000 bangus fingerlings, 450,000 sex-reversed GET-EXCEL tilapia fingerlings and 200,000 saline tilapia fingerlings.

Provincial fisheries officer Nico Wamil said the recipients were from the towns of Lubao, Sasmuan, Masantol, Macabebe, Mexico, Porac, Candaba, San Luis and City of San Fernando.

“Ang pinaka pakay natin dito ay magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain, hindi lang ang Pampanga, kundi maging ang buong Gitnang Luzon. Pero sa tulong din nitong dispersal na ginagawa natin, magkakaroon din ng karagdagang pagkakakitaan ang ating mga mangingisda (Our main objective is to have enough supply of food not only in Pampanga but also in the entire Central Luzon. Through the dispersal of fingerlings that we have been doing, our fisherfolk are getting additional source of livelihood),” Wamil said.

Aside from the distribution of fingerlings, the BFAR-3 also awarded various fishing gears and equipment.

Last Sept. 20, BFAR-3 gave the indigenous people-fisherfolk in Barangay Mawacat, Floridablanca, this province some spear guns and gill nets which they are now using in catching fish. (PNA)