Around 400 stakeholders from across the Philippine milkfish industry will convene in Clark, Pampanga from October 14 to 16, 2026, for the 3rd National Bangus Congress, a three-day gathering focused on strengthening the country’s milkfish industry amid emerging global and domestic challenges.
Organized by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in partnership with the Philippine Milkfish Industry Group (PHILMIG), the congress will bring together producers, government agencies, industry players, research institutions, and other partners to assess the industry’s current state and identify concrete ways forward.
“Bangus plays an important role in our food security. This 3rd National Bangus Congress serves as an avenue to direct our efforts toward a more competitive and sustainable industry for our fisherfolk and bangus farmers,” BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig said.
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the total fisheries production increased by 2.0 percent in the second quarter of 2026. However, milkfish production declined by 7.1 percent year-on-year during the same period, underscoring the need for continuous collaboration and targeted strategies to strengthen the milkfish sector. The industry is also adapting to evolving conditions, including higher input costs, climate-related impacts, and supply chain considerations.
To tackle these challenges head-on, the congress aims to unite key players across the pre-production, production, and post-harvest sectors including hatchery operators, feed millers, fishpond operators, and processors. Their collective insights will directly guide DA-BFAR’s strategic updates to the Philippine Milkfish Industry Roadmap to support sustainable growth, competitiveness, and resilience across the industry.
The congress will examine the status of the Bangus value chain from seedstock and hatchery production to farming, nutrition, marketing, post-harvest processing, research, financing, and policy. It will feature technical sessions where experts from the industry, government, and research institutions will share modern technologies, successful business strategies, innovations, and financing and policy opportunities designed to boost the sector’s productivity, sustainability, competitiveness, and overall resilience.
“As an essential pillar of Philippine fisheries, the bangus value chain sustains hatchery technicians, fish farmers, dealers, processors, and logistics providers, and reinforcing each segment of this network expands economic opportunities for Filipino fisherfolk and promotes a more resilient, progressive aquatic industry,” Salilig said, emphasizing that the success of the bangus sector relies on supporting the livelihoods embedded within its supply network, rather than solely on volume of production.
The congress will also highlight successful milkfish enterprises, associations, and cooperatives, showcasing how innovation, collective action, and value addition can drive practical gains for local producers.
As the sector navigates shifting market conditions, climate pressures, and evolving consumer demands, the assembly aims to foster strategic partnerships and actionable solutions to secure the long-term competitiveness and resilience of the Philippine milkfish industry.
Reference: Baby Onquit
