Fish farmers in Buguey, Cagayan were forced to harvest their malaga early after continuous rains, worsened by Severe Tropical Storm #CrisingPH, turned rivers into freshwater and disrupted fish growth.

From an expected harvest of 30.3 tons, only 22 tons were collected due to the stunted growth of the fish. The selling price also dropped sharply to P150 from P350 per kilo.

“Sa Barangay Minanga and Minanga Oeste, sa sunud-sunod na pag-ulan, naging fresh water na ‘yung river sa Buguey, at the same time naging torpid na. So, wala nang tayong choice kundi i-full harvest o i-forced harvest ‘yung ating mga malaga dito sa Buguey,” Archie Viloria, fishery report officer of Buguey, said.

The local government of Buguey stepped in to help by purchasing seven tons of the fish harvest through the initiative of Mayor Licerio Antiporda.

The fish were then donated to municipalities affected by #CrisingPH.

“Since wala ng market, thru the initiative of the executive officer natin Mayor Licerio Antiporda, siya po ‘yung nag-request sa provincial na bilhin namin ‘yung harvest nila. 7 tons ‘yung na-purchase ng LGU na binili sa mga buyer. Ito naman ay itinulong natin sa other municipalities,” Viloria added.

To avoid future losses, the LGU has prepared a cold-chain facility that fish farmers can use for the next harvest season.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also funded the construction of a malaga hatchery in the town.