The Senate has approved the construction of an aquaculture feed mill plant in Barangay Bahit, Panay, Capiz, with 21 senators voting in favor of the measure on June 9, 2025. This was reported by https://www.panaynews.net
The initiative stems from House Bill No. 7500, originally passed by the House of Representatives through the efforts of 1st District’s Rep. Emmanuel “Tawi” Billones and 2nd District’s Rep. Jane Castro. The bill aims to establish a facility that will produce fish feeds to support local fisherfolk and boost the province’s aquaculture industry.
According to the bill, the feed mill is projected to produce 30 metric tons of fish feed daily — equivalent to about 30% of Capiz’s feed consumption. Raw materials will be sourced locally within the province. Castro emphasized,
“Raw materials are readily available in Capiz. Capiz is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines because of its rich aquatic natural resources. We have 16,292 hectares of brackish water ponds and 1,340 fish farm operators. Capiz ranks first in Western Visayas — and even nationwide — in milkfish production, based on 2023 PSA data.”
The project will be one of the largest aquaculture feed mill plants funded by the national government under the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR). It is also expected to come with assistance programs for farmers and fisherfolk.
Castro added,
“However, we currently source our fish feeds from Cebu and Manila, which increases production costs. Establishing a feed mill in Barangay Bahit, Panay will significantly reduce those expenses. Aquaculture businesses contribute greatly to our national economy. This feed mill plant will help our fishermen and aquaculture entrepreneurs improve their income and livelihoods.”
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, also filed a bill proposing the feed mill’s establishment and said,
“The establishment of a feed mill in the province of Capiz will directly benefit our fish farmers by ensuring a steady supply of nutrient-rich and affordable feed. This is a vital step in boosting productivity, promoting sustainability, and reducing the financial burden on our local aquaculture sector.”
Feed costs typically account for up to 70% of aquaculture production expenses. The facility is expected to significantly lower this burden, while stimulating the regional economy, enhancing food security, and maintaining the country’s competitive edge as a leading aquaculture producer in Southeast Asia.
Capiz ranked first in the volume of aquaculture production in the Western Visayas region, contributing 43.2%. In 2024, the province of Capiz recorded 111,260.44 tonnes share to fisheries production volume by subsector in Western Visayas. Of this, 79.1% is aquaculture, 15 percent% is from commercial fisheries, 5.3 percent from marine municipal fisheries, and 0.6 percent from inland municipal fisheries (Source: https://pia.gov.ph/capiz-remains-top-aquaculture-supplier-in-western-visayas/).
In terms of species produced, milkfish topped the list with 71,986.79 tonnes. The aquaculture sector showed an increase in production, growing by 39.1% from 63,212.05 tonnes in 2023 to 87,955.55 tonnes in 2024.
