FOOD SECURITY AMID PANDEMIC | BFAR Turns Over Aquaponics Farming Equipment to Friends Rescued
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region – IX (BFAR-IX) turned over an Urban Aquaponics Equipment to the Project Good Life students of the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) in a simple Turnover and Installation Ceremony to help them curb the effects of the pandemic to food security.
The turnover was graced by BFAR-IX Aquaponics Regional Focal Person and Senior Aquaculturist Mr. Marlon Dagandan, saying “solar-powered urban aquaponics is an ingenious way to attain food security amidst COVID-19.
“The Urban Aquaponics Unit consisted of hydro plots and frame with fish tank; 1 pack each of lettuce and kangkong seeds; 10 kilograms of coco peat and 5 kilograms of coco coir; 10 kilograms of carbonized rice hull; seedling tray; 100 Red Tilapia Fingerlings and 100 GET EXCEL Tilapia (Black) Fingerlings; and solar panel unit to power the aquaponics equipment.
53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera in his message expressed his gratitude to BFAR-IX, saying it will significantly help the FRs especially this time of pandemic.
” This Urban Hydroponics Equipment will surely help our FRs in terms of food security as it remains one of the major challenges of this pandemic,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.
Project Good Life for Friends Rescued (FRs) is an inclusive wellbeing psychoeducation program initiated by 53IB in partnership with various organizations and national government agencies that aims to translate the result of initial strength-based research inquiry among former rebels of the 53rd Infantry Battalion to community extension service.
It is a need-based program for FRs to support Executive Order 70 signed by the President which institutionalizes the Whole-of-Nation approach to end local communist armed conflict in the country.
