CONCEPCION, Tarlac — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 3, together with the Tarlac Provincial Fisheries Office and the Municipal Agriculture Office of Concepcion, led the distribution and awarding of tilapia fingerlings to local fish farmers on June 11, 2026 at the Concepcion Municipal Government Center.
The program, part of a rehabilitation plan following the devastation caused by Typhoon Crising in July 2025, aims to help affected fishpond owners recover their lost stock.
Provincial Fisheries Officer Lanie Lamyong and Municipal Agriculturist Juanito Lindo Jr. spearheaded the awarding ceremony. Also present was Tessa Jane Callo of the BFAR 3 Dispersal Unit, who represented Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz.
According to Lamyong, the intervention was prompted by reports of severe damage to fishponds in the area.
“Nakipag-coordinate po tayo kay Municipal Agriculturist Juanito Lindo Jr. para ma-assess yung mga na-damage. Isa po sa recipients po natin, nag-report siya na ito pong kanyang 5-hectares fishpond ay na-damage po, kumbaga nag-overflow po at nakawala po ang kanyang mga isda,” she explained. The other fishpond owner sustained only minor damage.
The reports were submitted to the BFAR regional office and then to the Department of Agriculture, which led to the formulation of a rehabilitation plan. “Ginagawan po ito ng rehabilition plan, at ito na po yung kaganapan,” Lamyong added.
She clarified that while no funds were available for feed assistance since the damaged stock was already harvestable, the government was able to provide fingerlings.
Each affected hectare received 30,000 fingerlings, meaning the five-hectare fishpond owner got 150,000 pieces, plus a 10% mortality allowance. The fingerlings were procured through a nationwide bidding process.
In a separate distribution activity, other qualified recipients received 15 pieces of cast net and five pieces of multifilament net to aid in their recovery, aside from the fingerlings awarded to fishpond owner.
The local government lead by Mayor Noel Villanueva and BFAR reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the aquaculture sector in Concepcion as fish farmers continue to rebuild their livelihoods.
