Iloilo disperses 100K tilapia fingerlings to LGUs

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government distributed 100,000 tilapia fingerlings to local government units (LGUs) and selected fish farmers on April 29 at the IFAPTC–ART Center in Nanga, Pototan.

The dispersal, led by the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office, forms part of the province’s continuing effort to expand aquaculture support beyond coastal areas into inland communities, where fish farming is seen as a viable source of livelihood and nutrition.

Bulk allocations were given to three municipalities, with Banate receiving 50,000 fingerlings for its BaSIL program, New Lucena allotted 26,000, and Dingle receiving 12,000.

The remaining 12,000 fingerlings were distributed to three individual farmer-beneficiaries.

Provincial officials said the initiative goes beyond input provision and includes technical assistance to ensure higher survival rates and productivity among recipients.

As of April 30, the Provincial Agriculture Office has dispersed a total of 473,500 tilapia fingerlings across Iloilo, reflecting an intensified push to boost freshwater fish production amid growing demand for affordable protein sources.

The province underscored that scaling up inland aquaculture is part of its broader strategy to enhance food security, diversify rural livelihoods, and build resilience among farming and fishing communities.

With continued distribution and on-ground support, the provincial government aims to sustain fish production at the community level while encouraging more Ilonggos to engage in aquaculture.