Albay to Build P10-Million Multi-Species Hatchery to Strengthen Food Security and Sustainable Aquaculture
LEGAZPI CITY – The Province of Albay is set to strengthen food security and expand sustainable freshwater aquaculture with the establishment of a ₱10-million Albay Provincial Multi-Species Freshwater Hatchery, a project funded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5).
The facility, which will be established in Camalig, Albay, is expected to enhance the production of quality freshwater fingerlings, improve fish farming productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, promote value-added fish products, and create new livelihood opportunities for thousands of Albay residents.
BFAR-5 spokesperson Rowena Briones said the project is currently undergoing the procurement process.
"The hatchery in Camalig, Albay, is still in the procurement phase. The drilling works have already been bid out, while the construction of the facilities is still in the pre-procurement stage," Briones said in an interview on Monday.
Albay Provincial Agricultural Office (APAO) Officer-in-Charge Daryl John Buenconsejo said that once completed and fully operational, the hatchery will become the province's primary facility for producing and distributing high-quality freshwater fingerlings and other high-value freshwater species.
Beyond fish production, the hatchery will also function as a center for aquaculture technology demonstration, training, and technical assistance for fish farmers, fisherfolk organizations, and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
Buenconsejo said the project is expected to directly benefit more than 30,000 fish farmers throughout Albay, including fishpond operators, small-scale aquaculture producers, fisherfolk associations, and aspiring entrepreneurs entering the freshwater aquaculture industry.
Construction is targeted for completion within six months. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate broader economic benefits by increasing local fish production, strengthening the province's food supply, and creating additional livelihood and enterprise opportunities for families, traders, processors, and communities across Albay.
As part of the program, beneficiaries will also receive specialized training on fish processing, product development, value addition, marketing, and post-harvest technologies. These capacity-building initiatives are designed for fish farmers, fisherfolk organizations, students, women, homemakers, and other interested stakeholders seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in the fisheries sector.
Buenconsejo noted that participants will have the opportunity to generate income by raising the fingerlings supplied through the hatchery to marketable size and selling them to local markets, restaurants, institutional buyers, and other commercial outlets.
To ensure the project's long-term sustainability, the provincial government plans to implement comprehensive facility management, regular maintenance, continuous technical training, effective broodstock management, production monitoring, and adequate operational support.
The provincial government will also strengthen collaboration with national government agencies, academic institutions, local government units, and development partners to advance fisheries research, technology development, capacity building, and technical assistance.
The Albay Provincial Multi-Species Freshwater Hatchery forms part of the province's broader strategy to modernize the fisheries sector, enhance food security, protect aquatic resources, and promote inclusive economic growth through science-based and sustainable aquaculture development.
NPO NEWS TEAM | PNA-PR
