his 2.4 hectare multi-knitted fishpens or cages housing tons of Lapu-lapu started as a small group of Capiceño businessman in 1990 but later ballooned to a million earner industry for Capiceños. No trade secrets but sheer hardwork, dedication and teamplay. A cooperative was behind this huge success and committed members are running the show that particularly made this 12 year old venture as flourishing as it is today. Policarpio “Kano” Altamia, spokeperson for the cooperative attributed their success to some Capiceño entrepreneur who made good business contacts with businessmen in Metro Manila and the same delivers tons of live Lapu-lapu in various first class hotels and restaurants in the metropolis.

Basing on the farms’ weekly harvest of 450 kilos plus an aggregate 550 kilos from other neighboring farms within the city, an approximate 2.5 tons of Lapu-lapu flows out of Capiz weekly (357 kilos/day) for domestic consumption. The farm is able to provide substantial share for the requirements in Manila as it is able to supply the demand locally in the province. During special occasions such as Sinadya sa Halaran Festival, Seafoods fest and religious fiestas in various Capiz Municipalities, more Lapu-lapu is being consumed locally which is prompting fish pen owners to expand its area to increase yield and supply the anticipated increase of demand. Along with its expansion plan, newer techniques of handling and feeding has been applied by farm technicians to insure health and freshness of fish when shipped to Manila.

Starting with only P8,000.00 capital in 1991, members of Bangbang Inland Fishfarmers Multi-purpose Cooperative were able to acquire 135 fingerlings of Lapu-lapu from Mindoro with only two fishpens or cages. Each year the Co-op has to construct more cages to increase yield and meet the increasing demand. Aiming to maintain an equilibrium between the supply and demand for Lapu-lapu, coop members rallied to increase number of fishpens and membership until breeding farm reached a total of 697 cages (including those owned by private individuals) with more than 20, 000 fingerlings to tend for. Spaces for more cages are ready for co-op members who would wish to join and invest. Each interested member where uniformly allocated with a 450 sq. meter space where they can construct at least 40 cages. The cooperative survived for more than ten years, diligently nurturing the industry to its peak. With the increasing demands, however, cooperative members recently opted to go separate ways and become independent fishpen owners.

Today, the industry has flourished to an elevated stage and though the cooperative that initiated the business, has ceased to exist, the continuing supply and demand has continued to increase year after year. Independent owners with each having their own business contacts in Manila, have vowed to keep the supply of Lapu-lapu to a substantial level that it can continuously supply the demands of Manila without sacrificing enough supply for local consumption. After all, Roxas City, Capiz – is the Seafood Capital of the Philippines.