Evangelista to present modified size of fish cages to Mayor Codilla
Roberto C. Dejon

Independent City Agriculture and Fisheries Council (ICAFC) Chairman Climaco Evangelista is set to present to Mayor Eric C. Codilla a modified size of fish cages that he wants to be implemented in the city.

Evangelista in an interview disclosed that the former fish cage design by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) which was launched and inaugurated 3 years ago in the bay of Naungan was huge and costly. He said the old design has a dimension of 32 x 32 x 10 meters that needs P1.2M for the construction and a big gamble to investors. Evangelista pointed out that with the bad weather condition, presently experiencing throughout the world, could easily wipe out the investment in a single phenomenon.

Evangelista said that he would introduce to the mayor his own modified version which has 16 x 16 x 10 meters but could be divided by investors in a 4 x 4 x10 meters per fish cage. He stressed that with the 4 x 4 x 10 meters this could accommodate at least 1500 fingerlings of a selected species that could be harvested in three to four months time. He estimated that in his design an investment of P30,000-P32,000 per fish cage is enough.

Furthermore, Evangelista suggested the intervention of the Local Government Unit for this endeavor is highly needed for people to invest. He likened to the Rice Production Enhancement Program (RPEP) that Mayor Beboy implemented to the rice sector; the LGU’s support on the project, either in materials or other support.

Presently, Mr. Evangelista disclosed that he has implemented his design at the bay of Merida, Leyte and waiting for the result in the next few months.