Over 2,000 fish fingerlings released in Iloilo River

A total of 2,376 fingerlings of “sea bass” also known as Bulgan were released in Iloilo River by the Iloilo City Government on early morning of Monday, September 27, 2021.

The dispersal of the fish fingerlings was headed by the City Agriculturist Office.

According to Iñigo Garingalao head of the City Agriculturist Office, the dispersal of the fingerlings aims to replenish the Iloilo River which serves as a source of living to many fisherfolks in the metro.

“Dako gid ang role sang aton nga Iloilo River kay diri nagakuha sang pagkaon ang aton nga mga pumuluyo especially subong nga may Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas on Sunday.

Currently, around 500 fisherfolks are dependent on the Iloilo River for their source of food.

Garingalao said that Mayor Jerry Treñas has personally been overseeing the projects in Iloilo River as he aims to promote food sufficiency and sustainability in the metro.

“Si Mayor Treñas gid ang nagapanguna para sa aton nga Iloilo River pati ang mga fingerlings kag juvenile fishes nga ginapangdisperse sa iya mismo personal connections,” he added.

Since last year, Garingalao said that the city government has been continuously replenishing Iloilo River through the dispersal of juvenile fishes and gingerlings.

“We tried different varieties sang mga isda sang una but we were warned nga indi pwede ang mga carnivorous kag gapangaon sang mga kalan-unon sang iban nga isda. What the mayor really wanted is may mga nagakalain-lain man nga isda sa aton Iloilo River para indi lang basta2 mga simple nga isda,” he said.

Treñas has been vocal of supporting the fisherfolks who rely on fishing as their main livelihood.

“A decade ago up until now, we are continuously dispersing juvenile fish in the river to provide livelihood to citizens of Iloilo City who mostly rely on their daily living by fishing. I always wanted to make Iloilo City a sustainable and liveable city for my beloved Ilonggos. Now, I am happy to see that my dreams are now turning to fruition,” he said in his previous statement.

Fishes caught from the area proved to be abundant with fisherfolks catching giant fishes weighing from 8 to 10 kilograms.

Among the recent catch was a 9-kilogram “Bulgan” caught along Muelley Loney area in City Proper last week. (ERS)