Saturday, March 04, 2006
Giant carps in Lake Buluan
By Bong S. Sarmiento
BULUAN, Maguindanao -- A carp weighing at least 5 kilograms and measuring more than two feet long, anyone? Despite being backward in terms of amenities, this impoverished town inhabited mostly by Muslims proudly plays host to giant carps that are sought after in many parts of the country.
A group of visitors over a year ago was treated to two grilled giant carps in a kanduli (thanksgiving ceremony) marking the inauguration of solar panel system for 30 poor families in remote Barangay Tumbao.
Haron Usop, Buluan municipal administrator, said each of the 5-kilogram giant carp served to the group fetches at least P1,500 in the market.
"There are demands for the giant carps from people in the cities of Davao, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro and other parts of the country. They are abundant in Lake Buluan," he told the visitors.
Usop said the carps grow so large by feasting on algae or unfortunate smaller fishes.
He recalled that a few years ago, a 30-kilogram carp was caught by the residents who feasted on it.
Usop said giant carps are part of the so-called "Bagong Lipunan" species that then former first lady Imelda Marcos ordered dumped in the lake by plane at the height of the Marcos rule.
Lake Buluan covers part of Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat where commercial fishing ventures are also thriving.
Usop said 60 percent of the town's population of about 80,000 is directly dependent on the lake for their livelihood. At least 12 percent Christians composed the population.
He added that Lake Buluan also provides major income to the town still classified as third class although it's considered as one of the oldest towns in Maguindanao province.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(February 27, 2006 issue)
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