Taguig groomed as agri-aqua corridor to aid farmers, fisherfolk

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it would transform Taguig City as an “agri-aqua business corridor” following developments that were made to improve Laguna Lake, which would enable farmers and fisherfolk to access the city more conveniently.

The agency signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government unit of Taguig on Monday, which would be implemented under the Multi-Agency Agricultural Government Assistance Program (Maagap) Para sa Kinabukasan sa Taguig.

“Farmers and fisherfolk from Rizal and Laguna could come directly to Taguig using their boats to bring their produce and see to it that we have all the cold storage, the warehouses and of course the open markets for people to come in a big way,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

He added that this would allow Taguig to become a major gateway for farmers and fishers going to Metro Manila, noting that Laguna Lake might be developed and rehabilitated as a means to improve aquaculture.

Just a few weeks ago, Spanish firm Acciona inked a contract with Maynilad Water Services Inc. to put up an advanced reverse osmosis technology in the Laguna Lake area, with the hopes that it could provide clean and potable water to the lake’s beneficiaries.

The government has been struggling with rehabilitating Laguna Lake due to water waste and unregulated fish pens in the area.

Dar said the Maagap program was just a phase of a bigger concept of an agri-aqua industrial business corridor.

Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano, with support from his brother and wife in Congress—Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Taguig Rep. Maria Laarni Cayetano—vowed to back DA’s goal to ensure the country’s food security.