ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 6 and Southeast Asian Fisheries and Development Center (SEAFDEC) Aquaculture Department (AQD) signaled the onset of the conduct of the feasibility study for the proposed P30-million commercial-scale aquaculture feed mill set to be constructed in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

The agreement stipulates that the BFAR 6 will allocate and transfer P250,000.00 to SEAFDEC- AQD for the conduct and preparation of the feasibility study and other related documents for the project.

Prior to the present project, the research center had likewise assisted BFAR in preparing feasibility studies, identifying suitable sites, designing the government’s legislated hatcheries, and other research and development regarding the industry.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between SEAFDEC-AQD chief Dan Baliao and BFAR 6 regional director Remia Aparri held in the previous month at the research center’s Tigbauan Main Station, which is also the proposed site for the feed mill.

The MOA signing was attended by the members of the SEAFDEC-AQD’s Executive Committee, scientists, researchers, feasibility study team, BFAR staff, and Panay Aquafarmers Consumer Cooperative. (JBG/AGP/PIA 6 with report from SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department)