BFAR Capiz Information Officer Lorelyn Offala said they introduced the shellfish raft because of the request of Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas, noting the fact that most shellfish growers in the city are using old rubber tires for shellfish farming. 

“Gin-introduce namon ang new method kay tires ila ginagamit which are prohibited kay ga-extract ini sang toxic gasses kag para mag amat-amat man reduce ang saltation level caused by staking method (We have introduced the new method because they are using tires which are prohibited as they extract toxic gasses and also to gradually reduce the saltation level caused by staking method),” Offala stated. 

Aside from undergoing training, each beneficiary will receive a two-unit 5x5 meter shellfish raft, including plastic drums, bamboo poles, PE rope, nylon, and plastic binders as start-up materials for their rafts. 

Further, the BFAR Capiz also conducted Shellfish Grow-Out and Post Harvest Training on the process of making Oyster Crackers, Oyster Kropek, Smoke Oyster, and Oyster Sauce to 110 participants as part of their shellfish value adding methods. 

Offala emphasized that the value-adding method is an alternative livelihood for the shellfish growers who were not able to sell out their fresh shellfish products. 

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the BFAR and Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas because the said intervention will be an alternative income for them.