WV is PH’s 2nd leading milkfish producer

Western Visayas is the second leading producer of milkfish or “bangus” in the country, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services Drusila Esther Bayate said the region is trailing behind Region 1 in terms of milkfish production in 2017.

“It is noteworthy to say that although Western Visayas is traditionally a milkfish area, we are still on the top five; but for a long time, Region 6 was the top producer,” Bayate said.

She said that due to changes in technology and the advances in the milkfish industry, Region 1 is now the top producer of bangus.

According to Bayate, the country produced over 400,000 metric tons (MT) of milkfish in 2017.

Of the figure, the Ilocos Region produced about 112,000 MT while Western Visayas harvested 79,000 MT.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City played host to the 2nd National Bangus Congress from September 27 until 28, 2018 at the Iloilo Convention Center here.

This year’s congress theme “Harmonizing Efforts Towards Food Sufficiency and Wider Global Reach” is centered in the aquaculture value chain in the region.

Bayate said the milkfish industry is a promising industry as it continues to grow.

“There were years na nag-stagnate sila but I think in the last two or three years, it is marked by growth,” she said.

The National Bangus Congress gathered some 500 participants coming from the various segment including fishpond and marine cage culture operators, research institutions, academe and fishery professionals, logistics and distribution companies, and trade and market partners.

SOURCE; Iloilo Metropolitan Times

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