The Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan at Mangingisda ng Sitio Bucana (SNKMB) officially broke ground on its new Community Multi-Species Shed Whiteleg Shrimp and Tilapia Aquaculture at a ceremony on July 13, 2021, in Sitio Bucana, Brgy. San Jose, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.

The aquaculture facility aims to provide a livelihood source to the community with the integration of intensive aquaculture technology in their fish farming practices. The project was realized under DOST-MIMAROPA’s Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST) program in partnership with SNKMB, Local Government Unit of Roxas (LGU-Roxas), Barangay LGU of San Jose (BLGU-San Jose), and Agritektura Enterprises, which developed the technology.

CEST aims to empower disadvantaged communities and transform their quality of life by providing appropriate science and technology interventions.

Brgy. San Jose has 793 households, 206 of which or 25.98% regard fishing as the primary source of income. However, many residents most especially those living near coastal areas have no source of alternative source of income especially in times where sea fishing is impossible due to inclement weather conditions.

The intensive fish and shrimp production technology will provide a sustainable source of income for the members as there will be three (3) harvesting seasons per year.

The harvest will benefit members through direct selling of fresh seafood or value-adding.

Also present during the groundbreaking ceremony were Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Representative Alfonso V. Umali Jr, Roxas Mayor Leo G. Cusi, Vice Mayor Gualberto Magno, municipal councilors, Brgy. Chairman Danny Talamisan. Agritektura’s Architect Neil Francis Quijano, and DOST-MIMAROPA Provincial S&T Center in Oriental Mindoro PSTD Jesse Pine and staff. Mayor Cusi expressed optimism that the intervention will change the lives of community members and would respond to insufficient income during bad weather conditions when fishermen cannot fish.  

On the other hand, SNKMB sees the groundbreaking event as a very important milestone for the association and the community. SNKMB Chairman, Mr. Robinhood Veloso expressed his heartfelt gratitude to DOST-MIMAROPA and partner agencies and assured them that they will work hard to make the project a success. (DOST-MIMAROPA PR)