The Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte had received PHP30 million worth of funding for the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in the area.

In a statemen on Thursday, Mayor Al David Uy said the hatchery provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Davao Region (BFAR-11) will help small farmers with sustainable fingerlings supply, “especially those in cooperatives and associations.”

“Since it is a closed season, this is one way that they will still have their livelihood,” Uy said of the facility, which will be constructed in Barangay Poblacion, Kaputian District.

He said the project complies with Republic Act 11808, or the Act Establishing a Multi-Species Marine Hatchery on the island.

BFAR-11 Director Relly Garcia said the multi-species marine hatchery project will leave a lasting impact on the city.

“It will facilitate the breeding and propagation of diverse marine species, such as milkfish, tilapia, danggit, lapu-lapu, and pompano, among others,” he said, adding that the project addresses the local need for aquaculture and create more job opportunities for locals. (PNA)