November 17, 2025

Philippines distributes more than 10,000 fingerlings to residents in Baguio City

The Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has distributed 11,750 fingerlings to residents in Baguio City, the Cordillera Administrative Region, as part of its effort to promote food sustainability and strengthen local fish production.

"Food produced for the family is a big help in making the fish supply of the region sustainable," said June Lois Balag-ey, regional director of the BFAR in the Cordillera Administrative Region (BFAR-CAR).

The fingerlings—9,600 tilapia and 2,150 catfish—were distributed to 58 beneficiaries from April to October this year, including members of the San Andreas Strawberry Growers Association, Bilis Sto. Tomas Central Farmers Livelihood Association, Pacdal Cultivators Association, Binnadang Smith Organization, and Barangay Happy Hollow Farmers Organization.

The fingerlings were sourced from the BFAR Provincial Fishery Office in Benguet, the Technology Outreach Station in La Trinidad, and the BFAR Rizal Lowland Fish Farm.

Beneficiaries included residents with small water impounding areas, aquaponics practitioners, and those integrating vegetable and fish production in their backyards.

According to Aira Tad-o, project technical assistant of the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) and focal person for aquaponics, the programme supports one of Baguio City's seven-point core agenda on economic recovery and development. It aims to promote urban aquaculture and strengthen food security in the highly urbanized city.

The initiative complements the Department of Agriculture (DA) and city government's ongoing urban agriculture programme, which encourages residents to become backyard farmers using sustainable practices.

- PNA