BFAR-Kalinga delays fingerling distribution as El Niño dries ponds, threatens fish production

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The lingering effects of El Niño continue to disrupt fisheries in Kalinga, forcing the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Kalinga to postpone the distribution of thousands of tilapia fingerlings after prolonged dry conditions left many fishponds and irrigation systems without enough water.

Despite the onset of the rainy season and Kalinga being placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 during Typhoon Bavi, many fishponds across the province remain unsuitable for stocking, delaying the agency's scheduled fingerling releases.

In an interview, Provincial Fishery Officer-in-Charge Clifford L. Fernandez said the prolonged dry spell has affected not only fishpond operators but also fingerling suppliers, making it impossible to proceed with the scheduled distribution.

The agency originally planned to release fingerlings on June 1, when the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was expected to resume water releases. However, the schedule was first moved to July 1 and has since been postponed again because many ponds still lack sufficient water.

"...imbis kuma nga iwaras mi dagidiay fingerlings da, from di June 1 kuma ngaa iserrek ti danum ti NIA, na-aadjust manen ti July 1 and awan pay pulos ti tudo na is ngaa kapilitan piman nga ma-dealy inggana tatta. And mostly din ket because of daytoy El Nino. Pati pay diay supplier mi ket affected iti daytoy El Niño. Same metlang diay distribution ti fingerlings--adda ti request pero inpa-postpose ti distribution na ta dakkel talaga effect na daytoy El Niño," Fernandez said.

Despite the delays, BFAR-Kalinga has already distributed 430,850 tilapia fingerlings to 662 beneficiaries from January to June 2026.

Another 135,000 procured tilapia fingerlings were also distributed to 174 additional beneficiaries under a separate program.

Based on BFAR-Kalinga's records, Tinglayan recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 215, followed by Balbalan with 166.

The agency also distributed 52,500 carp and catfish fingerlings to 76 beneficiaries.

Fernandez said BFAR-Kalinga is preparing approximately 300,000 more fingerlings intended for about 300 additional beneficiaries, which will be released once weather conditions improve and fishponds have sufficient water.

El Niño expected to intensify

The delay comes as weather experts continue to warn of worsening El Niño conditions.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), El Niño is now present in the tropical Pacific and is expected to strengthen in the coming months, with forecasts indicating it could become strong to very strong toward the latter part of 2026 and persist until early 2027. El Niño typically brings below-normal rainfall, increasing the risk of prolonged dry spells and drought in vulnerable areas.

Recent PAGASA climate outlooks also indicate that Kalinga remains among the areas where below-normal rainfall is more likely, highlighting the continued risk to agriculture, fisheries, and water-dependent livelihoods despite the occurrence of occasional rains brought by the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones.

Fernandez assured fisherfolk that BFAR-Kalinga remains committed to delivering the fingerlings once conditions become favorable. He also encouraged the public to support tree-planting and environmental conservation efforts, saying healthier watersheds and forests play an important role in sustaining water sources and reducing the long-term impacts of drought.

"Effect talaga to ng climate change. For the fingerlings, the office is open for requests nu anya man ti kasapulan da regarding the fingerlings. We are trying our best nga maited met latta diyay demand da. As to the effect of El Niño, that is natural calamity ket anusan tayo latta inggana adda ti danum, tudo or the irrigation. And siguro, start na din natin magtanim-tanim kasi one factor din naman ng drought is ang pagkawala ng mga puno," he said.