January 28, 2021

Aquaculture firm Feedmix Specialist looking to set up project in Pantabangan, Philippines

Philippines' aquaculture company Feedmix Specialist is seeking approval from the country's National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to set up an aquaculture project at the Pantabangan Dam, one of the biggest dams in Asia, Manila Bulletin reported.

This comes after aquaculture advocacy group Tugon Kabuhayan recently urged the Philippines' government to push aquaculture development in the country by creating aquaculture development and regulatory policies on dams and protected areas.

Norberto O. Chingcuanco, Feedmix Group vice president for planning, said it will cost PHP 500,000 to build each fish cage for the project, which requires 100 cages total. The investments do not include workers, operational requirements, and infrastructure for the project.

Chingcuanco said the company does not require government investment but needs their assistance to acquire permits.

The Pantambangan Reservoir currently has small-scale fishing operations. Chingcuanco said the company has held discussions with the fishermen there and pledged not to affect the areas the fishermen operate.

Asis Perez, convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan, said there are other domestic aquaculture companies that are looking to establish aquaculture projects at dams and other protected areas.

Feedmix Specialist has 30 years of experience as an integrated aquaculture company in the Philippines.

- Manila Bulletin