Role of Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA)
- Designated as the primary government agency for economic development projects in Southern Philippines (per Presidential Decree No. 1703).
- Tasked to institute and implement identified viable fisheries projects.
Specific Fishpond Development Projects
- Bagong Lipunan Fishpond Estate I (Vitali, Zamboanga City): Conversion of 1200 hectares of public land into family-size fishponds for dislocated families and rebel-returnees; target aquatic species include prawn, milkfish, crabs.
- Gintong Biyaya Fish Cage Culture Project (Lake Buluan, Sultan Kudarat): Production of tilapia, focusing on red tilapia, in 1500 cages; beneficiaries include low-income families and rebel-returnees.
- Basilan Prawn Farm Project (Panigayan, Isabela, Basilan): Development of a 112-hectare pilot project for polyculture of prawn and milkfish.
- Bagong Lipunan Regional Prawn Hatchery Project (Naawan, Misamis Oriental): Commercial production and distribution of sugpo fry to fishpond operators; aims to maximize export-quality prawn production.
- Liguasan Marsh Freshwater Fisheries Project (Cotabato): Pilot projects for freshwater fish production in pens, cages, and water impoundments.
- Lake Lanao Fish Cage Culture Project (Lanao del Sur): Production of multiple freshwater fish species in pens and cages.
Funding and Financial Support
- Ministry of the Budget to release P35 million from the Special Activities Fund as equity contribution to SPDA.
- Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) authorized to extend loans to SPDA for project development costs upon submission of feasibility studies.
- SPDA directed to pursue external funding assistance to cover remaining costs.
Facility Management and Operational Directives
- Management of Mindanao State University’s prawn hatchery and facilities at Naawan transferred to the SPDA for commercial production purposes.
- Mandate for all ministries, bureaus, agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, and local government units to support and assist SPDA in project implementation upon request.
Implementation and Coordination
- Emphasis on coordination among the Ministry of the Budget, Ministry of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Development Bank of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, and Southern Philippines Development Authority.
- Directives aim for prompt and effective implementation of fisheries projects as livelihood programs for marginalized sectors in Southern Philippines.