Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Revival of idled prawn farms in Negros Occidental eyed
THE revival of about 4,000 hectares of idle prawn farms in Negros Occidental is being eyed as part of a rehabilitation project of the fishing industry in the province with about P300-million budget from the Department of Agriculture (DA), said Cadiz City Mayor Salvador 'Bading' Escalante Jr.
Escalante, in a press conference at the Capitol Tuesday said Gov. Isidro Zayco has instructed him to include the revival of prawn farms in the province, especially those in Bago City, E.B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City and Cadiz City, in the rehabilitation program of the fishing industry that once struck by typhoon 'Frank.'
The P300-M budget will be provided by DA's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) thru the Asia Fund as per order by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to help revive the fishing industry in Negros, especially in Cadiz - the worst hit by Frank, said Escalante.
Any amount to be given to Negros fishing industry in the form of soft loan for three to seven years is free of monthly interest.
"With the governor's recent request, it showed that our rehabilitation plan on our fishing industry will not only limit to the repair damaged commercial fishing boats or procurement of new boats in our city but will also include the revival of idled prawn farms to be utilized later for the province's food security program," Escalante told reporters.
It aimed at giving more concentration on tilapia growing, which is now one of the most lucrative businesses in the country, especially in Negros Occidental, he added.
"That's why each of the 36 commercial fishing operators in Cadiz City was asked to submit their individual rehab plan for us to assess and consolidate later. And based on initial agreement, for every P3 million proposed rehab plan, P2 million will be provided by Asia Fund while the remaining P1 million will be provided by the fishing boat operator," Escalante said.
"So having P1 million saving per P3 million proposed rehab plan, the Task Force Mananagat will still have funds to be used also in the revival of our prawn farms to be utilized then for tilapia culture later," he added.
A final proposal for the entire Negros Occidental for this P300 million fishing industry rehab budget will be submitted to Zayco's office on Thursday, Escalante said.
Meanwhile, on the contentious 15-kilometer territorial waters for fishing operations, Escalante said: "This is now a law stipulated under Fishery Code of the Philippines so we don't have choice but to implement this."(Erwin Ambo Delilan)
