Dr. William D. Dar, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture led the inauguration the Mindoro Shrimp Hatchery located at Sitio Dalapian, Brgy. Labasan, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro on September 24, 2021. According to Secretary Dar, the facility is the first ever shrimp hatchery in the Philippines placing the province at forefront of the country’s aquaculture development. “The shrimp hatchery will not only support the local shrimp farmers but all other region in the country will depend on this facility for the supply of shrimp fry” added Secretary Dar.

The historic occasion was also attended by DA Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Noel Reyes, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona (Ret), BFAR MIMAROPA Regional Director Elizer S. Salilig, and DA MIMAROPA Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio. While the local officials were led by Hon. Humerlito A. Dolor, Provincial Governor, Hon. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr., 2nd District Representative and Hon. Eligio A. Malaluan, Bongabong Municipal Mayor. Fisherfolk leaders representing the different fisherfolk associations were also present. Distribution of livelihood assistance to fisherfolks was also held during the ceremony. Among the assistance provided by BFAR are fiberglass reinforced plastic boats, fishing gears and vannamei fry.

The 24 million pesos facility funded under the Bayanihan 2 is just the Phase I implementation which covers the Fry Production facility, a targeted expansion will cover the Grow-out and Broodstock Development Facility. The present facility which includes a laboratory, natural food tank, larval rearing tank, an administration building and covered work area among others will focus on the medium scale production of Penaeus vannamei fry and it is expected to produce 50 million improved fry annually.

Oriental Mindoro has a total of 3,236 hectares of brackishwater area and it has about 1,200 aquaculture operators.