Eel development

P20-M aid for Davao Occidental's project

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has committed a funding support worth P20 million for the eel development project in the province of Davao Occidental.

Piñol made the commitment during the First Mindanao Eel Summit (MES) spearheaded by the local government of Davao Occidental on August 31 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

In his keynote speech, the DA Secretary said the agency is willing to support the current undertaking of the LGU in improving the eel industry not only in the province but also including other parts of Mindanao.

He raised the need for a roadmap on the eel industry, and he urged the MES stakeholders to come up with a plan of action “because we need to know where DA will come in” for assistance.

Piñol also vowed to present the eel project in Congress for it to be replicated in the whole country.

Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista said the summit, which gathered various stakeholders from across Mindanao and had guest speakers from the National Taiwan University, would be the first step to “save the dying eel industry in the Philippines.”

The LGU has proposed an Eel Project consisting of livelihood assistance for eel farmers and the establishment of an Eel Academy in Davao Occidental where interested local farmers can earn while learning. PIA11/Carina L. Cayon