SAN JOSE, NEGROS ORIENTAL — One community is set to make a fresh start by adopting sustainable fish farming techniques aimed at securing its own source of fish in the upland community.
The Department of Science & Technology here in Negros Oriental through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology partnered with Negros Oriental State University) in crafting this livelihood program to answer the needs of the residents of Janayjanay here in San Jose.
Situated close to Lake Balinsasayao, the community has abundant supply of fresh water which makes the place ideal for upland fish farming. The community was prepared to manage the project through various capability workshops and hands-on training by local experts.
On Oct. 6, the newly constructed small-scale upload tilapia fish cages were formally turned over to the Janayjanay Farmers Association. 1,600 tilapia fingerlings and three 25kg sacks of feeds were also given to the community as starter kits to jumpstart their small-scale upload tilapia production.
The turnover ceremony was attended by various stakeholders including DOST Negros Oriental Provincial S&T Director Atty. Gilbert Arbon, NORSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, Development & Extension Dr. Merivic Catada, NORSU University Extension Director Dr. Guilbert Nicanor Atillo, DOST NegOr Science Research Specialist Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing, representative from LGU San Jose, and the local community.
“Kani nga proyekto ilalum kini sa CEST program sa DOST, diin nigahin kami ug pondo para niining atong upland tilapia farm. Nakig-partner kami sa NORSU tungod sa ilng expertise sa pagdumala sa ilang mga Extension Programs. Ako naggahangyo kaninyo nga atimanon nato kini nga proyekto para malambo kini”, said PSTD Atty. Arbon in his speech during the turnover ceremony.
On the other hand, NORSU VP for RIDE Dr. Catada reminded the association of their responsibilities as project beneficiary.
“Atong atimanon kini nga proyekto, atong palamboon kini nga proyekto kay kami nagtuo gyud mi nga every project nga ihatag sa inyo is makatabang gyud sa inyoha nga panginabuhi para dili lang ang isig kapamilya ang molambo kung dili ang tibuok nga komunidad,” said Dr. Catada.
Eduaro Pegarum expressed his gratitude to DOST for selecting the Janayjanay Farmers Association as the beneficiary of the project.
“Salamat sa pagkamaayo sa DOST…dili lang unta kami ang mahimolos niini nga proyekto kung dili daghan pa unta nga sama kanamo nga nagkinahanglan. Nagpasalamat ako nga nahimugso kaning proyekto para sa among asosasyon…Hinaut nga mutobo kini ug daghan na unyang maibog tungod kay giatiman kini ug maayo sa among asosasyon…kami mapasalamaton”, said Pegarum, president of the beneficiary association.
DOST Regional Office No. VII through DOST Negros Oriental is the funding agency while NORSU is the implementing agency.
CEST is a package of S&T interventions which aims to build progressive, empowered and resilient rural communities. The program is targeting to empower the poorest and most depressed communities in the country, via S&T interventions in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, livelihood/economic enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. (PR)
