TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) -- To boost the fish supply in Bohol, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the provincial government and the town of Sevilla for the construction of  a tilapia hatchery in Barangay Cabancalan. 

The Bohol Provincial Board’s Committee on Agriculture has recommended the approval of a proposed resolution to authorize Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado to enter into a MOA with BFAR and the municipal government of Sevilla. 

Sevilla is the third town to partner with BFAR for the tilapia hatchery project in line with the provincial government’s efforts to increase fish supply in the island and bring down fish prices in the market. 

Last year, the towns of Valencia and Pilar already signed a similar agreement with BFAR  and the provincial government for the construction of the hatchery facility in LGU-owned lots in their areas. 

The provincial government has earlier identified Valencia, Pilar, Sevilla, and Talibon towns for the project as these areas have dams and irrigation facilities. 

“The provincial government has allocated funds for the project sourced from the 20 percent development fund in 2022,” said Aumentado. 

Each of the four LGUs will be allocated  P6 million for the hatchery facility project. 

The hatchery project is seen to not only increase the supply of tilapia in Bohol but also improve the income of fisherfolks by providing them with access to better quality tilapia fingerlings.

The MOA signing with Sevilla and Talibon was moved to 2024 as the LGUs had to work on procuring the lots identified for their hatchery facility, which are not owned by the local government.  (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)