One of the places we visited during the Soccsargen Experience Tour II was the Alsons Aquaculture fishery in Sarangani Bay. In this pristine water and scenic location, Alsons produces "Bangus" or milkfish by the millions, selectively breeding and culturing them to an almost perfect quality and size that is incomparable to other bangus caught in different regions.
Learning About Aquafarming at Sarangani Bay
The Heart of Philippine Milkfish Production
Named after the sprawling marine sanctuary where it is located, Sarangani Bay operates as the biggest milkfish hatchery in the entire Philippines. It is capable of producing 1.2 billion fry each year—supplying almost 50% of the national bangus intake for the whole country. According to their official website, the Sarangani Bay aquafarm covers "three hundred hectares of ponds and twenty thousand cubic square meters of sea cages."
The complete cycle and process involved in each cultivation phase of the bangus was thoroughly explained to us. We learned about the highly monitored hatching of the eggs, the careful storing of healthy eggs in precisely controlled warm temperatures, and the rearing period necessary until the fish reach the fry stage after twenty-one to twenty-five days. After this growth cycle, the bangus goes through a final processing stage that includes expert deboning and secure vacuum packing before it gets ready to be exported to other countries and local locations.
From Sea to Market
Roughly 60% of the milkfish produced here are exported to international markets, while the remaining 40% are sold locally. Consumer choices abound through highly distinct packaging variations, with finished milkfish products ranging from 'marinated baby milkfish' to 'smoked boneless bangus,' 'bottled milkfish,' and several other fresh-frozen variations.
It was a great opportunity for me to see a highly specialized side of Southern Mindanao. Aside from the usual tourist places we visited in Sarangani, General Santos, and South Cotabato during the Soccsargen Experience Tour, we gained the rare chance to drop by a massive agricultural engine that contributes directly to the local community—the Sarangani Bay fishery operated by the Alsons Aquaculture Corporation.
A little bit of educational knowledge picked up on a trip is always a deeply welcome opportunity, heavily amplified by the fact that our gracious hosts from Sarangani Bay served us a massive platter filled with fried bangus, fresh shrimp, and hot sinigang sa bangus, perfectly complemented by a set of fresh mangoes and bananas. We all happily feasted over a highly spirited conversation about modern fish cultivation and sustainability practices.
The Sarangani Bay fishery operated by Alsons Aquaculture is truly one of a kind. Being the only fully integrated 'farm-to-market' fish processing plant in the entire country, this massive facility serves as the very place where the bangus are meticulously hatched, fed, grown, processed, and packed, all in one highly centralized operation.
Bangus is one of the most culturally vital staple foods in every Filipino household, and its global reach has vastly expanded by virtue of this exact fish processing plant. Filipinos dispersed all over the world, alongside curious diners from other countries, can now seamlessly enjoy high-quality bangus almost as fresh as if they had just bought it from the coastal markets of Mindanao.
