A group of fish farmers in Southern Leyte is enjoying success from their bangus (milkfish) fish cage project and is anticipating a bountiful harvest from the second cropping soon.

“This March, we're starting the second round of cropping. Feeds and 5,000 fingerlings are still provided at no cost. The money we earned from the first round was used to purchase another cage for expansion,” said Rael Beronilla, vice president of Canlupao Association of Fisherfolks (CAFA), in Filipino.

Encouraged by the successful initial harvest, Beronilla and his fellow fish farmers are enthusiastic about the project. However, the waters of Sogod Bay must be observed carefully in accordance with the changing season.

The strong under-the-sea current in the first few months of the year was one of the factors that delayed the second cropping. Hands-on watch in the next cycle, day and night, will also be a challenge, in addition to the hot summer months.

Despite this, their enthusiasm is further fueled by the knowledge that they will have two cages this time, with the second one purchased using their earnings. This alone is something they eagerly anticipate.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will provide material and technical support for two years or more based on the group's performance.

“We will continue to monitor CAFA and the other 2023-2024 batch of people’s organization beneficiaries,” said Lalaine Biong, Special Area for Agricultural Development  coordinator at the BFAR provincial office.

Biong, Redyl Dadulo, provincial SAAD focal person, and Aprilyn Bruzas, the area coordinator, facilitated the bangus culture in a cage project undertaken by CAFA.

“We chose CAFA based on their good financial record, which is in order, and they are not a beneficiary of DA/BFAR-SAAD Phase 1 projects,” Biong said.