From fingerlings to harvest: Apayao livelihood program boosts incomes

BAGUIO CITY — For 15 farmers and fisherfolk in Luna, Apayao, a 400-square-meter fishpond is becoming more than a source of tilapia.

It is a step toward building a livelihood they can sustain on their own.

The ST Tilapia Productions Association harvested its first batch of fish Sept. 3, yielding 57.8 kilograms and P9,826 in gross sales.

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The information is according to Joanna Marie Caponpon-Apostol, social marketing officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Cordillera Administrative Region’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

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The harvest came three months after the group started its aquaculture project with P450,000 in SLP assistance and technical support from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera.

The group initially stocked the pond with 4,000 fingerlings in May 2025.

Now in the “Usbong” (budding) phase of the program, the association is preparing to restock its pond for another production cycle while planning to expand its operation.

“This successful harvest marks a promising start toward long-term economic self-sufficiency,” Caponpon-Apostol said.

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She said technical guidance, community partnerships, and market links can help make sustainable local food production viable for families in Apayao.

The 15 members were identified as SLP beneficiaries through the Apayao Provincial Health Office after health workers found malnourished children in their households.

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The livelihood assistance was intended to help the families generate income for food, and eventually establish a regular source of earnings.

Their experience is one example of the livelihood ventures supported by the DSWD in the Cordillera.

Since 2023, the DSWD-CAR has released P314.36 million through the SLP, benefiting 20,171 people in the region as of Sept. 10, 2026.

The program provides livelihood assistance to individuals and groups, and seeks to help beneficiaries progress toward economic self-sufficiency.

It follows a five-year cycle: “Punla” (seeding), “Usbong” (budding), “Sibol” (sprouting), “Yabong” (flourishing) and “Pag-ani” (harvest).

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At the end of the cycle, beneficiaries are expected to have recovered the initial investment, which remains as seed capital, while subsequent income is shared based on members’ work and contributions. /apl