BFS-001 | Fingerling & Feed Supplier Research

H

Section 1

BFAR-Accredited Bangus Hatcheries — Region 3 & Nearby

Context: The Philippines runs under the Bangus Fry Sufficiency Program (2020–2025). BFAR Region 3 (Central Luzon) is headquartered in San Fernando, Pampanga. Accredited farms are listed on BFAR's Registered Aquaculture Farms document (updated January 2025). Bulacan is in Region 3 which also covers Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and Zambales. The key BFAR-affiliated commercial hatchery for Luzon supply is Finfish Hatcheries, Inc. (FHI).

BFAR Partner

Finfish Hatcheries, Inc. (FHI)

Malapatan, Sarangani Province (Mindanao) — National Supplier

Largest commercial bangus fry hatchery in the Philippines. 50-hectare facility with 12,000+ broodstock. Supplies over 30–50% of national bangus fry demand. Has donated fry to BFAR Region 3 in Paombong, Bulacan (confirmed Aug 2025). This is the most reliable large-scale commercial source.

Head Office (Makati): +63 2 982-3035

Part of Alcantara Group / Alsons AgriBusiness Unit

Fry price: ~₱0.30/piece (fry-stage, hatchery wholesale)

Fingerling price: ~₱6.00–₱7.00/piece (3–4 inch)

Nationwide delivery High survival rate (80–90%) Predator-free (hatchery-raised)

BFAR R3

BFAR Region 3 National Hatchery (NFDC)

BFAR-NFDC Compound, Dagupan area / Region 3 field office, San Fernando, Pampanga

BFAR runs community-based larval rearing facilities (LRFs) across Region 3. The agency conducted hatchery training in Bagac, Bataan and Aurora under the National Bangus Development Program. BFAR itself distributes subsidized fingerlings to fishpond operators and fisherfolk associations — contact BFAR Region 3 to check if your farm qualifies for fingerling subsidies or know nearby community LRF partners.

BFAR Region 3 Office: Diosdado Macapagal Gov't Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga

Tel: +045 455-0XXX / +045 961-5XXX

Website: r3.bfar.da.gov.ph | Facebook: BFAR Gitnang Luzon

Subsidized fingerlings (for qualified fisherfolk): often free or below-market

Gov't program Check eligibility first

Private

Big R Fingerlings — Binmaley, Pangasinan

Basing, Binmaley, Pangasinan (Region 1) — ~3–4 hours from Bulacan

Active supplier on Bangus Farming Pangasinan Facebook group. Offers bangus fingerlings in sizes 2–3 inch and 3–4 inch. Can deliver or arrange pickup. Pangasinan is the largest bangus-producing province in Luzon and a natural fingerling source for Bulacan farmers.

Contact: 09924509319 (as posted Aug 2024)

₱6.50/piece (3 inch) — ₱7.00/piece (4 inch and up)

Verified active seller Ships Luzon

Private

Bangus/Fingerling Seller — Taliptip, Bulacan

Taliptip, Bulacan (coastal barangay near Manila Bay area)

A bangus fingerling seller in Taliptip, Bulacan was found posting fingerlings for sale (sizes 2–4 inches). Taliptip is a known bangus aquaculture zone. This may be a local nursery operator. Price was posted as negotiable.

Facebook post (confirm current availability — original post did not list a direct contact number)

~₱1.20/piece (older post, sizes 2–4 inches) — price may be outdated, verify

Local Bulacan source Verify current pricing

Private

RJM Fingerlings — Bulacan & Pampanga

Calumpit, Bulacan & Pampanga (multiple locations)

Active seller across Bulacan/Pampanga area. Posts in Facebook groups: "Bulacan/Pampanga tilapia, hito, bangus, vannamei Fingerlings." Offers bangus in 2–4 inch sizes, plus tilapia and hito. Usually listed as always available. Confirmed seller contact matches 09050445619.

Tel: 09050445619

~₱6.00–₱7.00/piece (estimated, confirm current price)

Local Bulacan/Pampanga Multiple species available Active in social media

Verify First

Sarangani Bay (FHI Sister Company)

Lun Masla, Malapatan, Sarangani Province (Mindanao)

Same Alcantara Group facility as FHI. Produces 1.2 billion fry annually. Has transition ponds that grow fry into fingerlings for sale. Worth contacting if ordering in large volume (100,000+ pieces) for better pricing. Delivery to Bulacan via air-freight or reefer truck is feasible.

Website: saranganibay.com.ph

Large-volume pricing — negotiate directly

Largest national hatchery Bulk orders preferred

Action for Aaron/Sean: The single best first call is BFAR Region 3 in San Fernando, Pampanga (r3.bfar.da.gov.ph). Ask them: (1) which BFAR-registered bangus fingerling hatcheries are nearest to Hagonoy/Paombong, and (2) whether the farm qualifies for subsidized fingerling releases under the National Bangus Development Program. This call costs nothing and could save significant money on the first stocking.

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Section 2

Commercial Bangus Feed Brands Available in the Philippines

How feeds work: Bangus require three feed stages — Starter (small pellets, first 30–45 days), Grower (medium pellets, bulk of the grow-out), and Finisher (larger pellets, last 30–45 days before harvest). Most commercial brands offer floating pellets, which let you see how much the fish are eating and reduce waste. All feeds below are floating pellet type unless noted.

Brand	Product Name	Bag Size	Est. Price / Sack	Protein %	Notes
Grobest (Aqua Best)	Aqua Best Bangus Starter No. 4	25 kg	~₱617–₱750	27% (min.)	Premium brand. Mill in Gerona, Tarlac — close to Bulacan. Floating pellet, extruded. High water stability.
Grobest (Aqua Best)	Aqua Best Bangus Grower No. 5	25 kg	~₱650–₱760	26% (min.)	Most-used stage. SEAFDEC research reference price ~₱732/sack (25 kg). Widely available in Luzon.
Grobest (Aqua Best)	Aqua Best Bangus Finisher No. 6	25 kg	~₱620–₱740	24% (min.)	Lower protein, lower cost for finishing phase. FCR typically 2.1–2.4.
Tateh / Santeh Feeds	Tateh Surfer Starter (Bangus)	25 kg	~₱1,500	~28%	Made by Santeh Feeds Corp (35 years in PH aquaculture). Registered feed distributor in Bulacan (BAI-verified). Available on Lazada and direct.
Tateh / Santeh Feeds	Tateh Surfer Grower (Bangus)	25 kg	~₱1,400	~26%	Widely used among small-scale Bulacan fish farmers. Pre-starter (20 kg) also available at ~₱1,500.
Tateh / Santeh Feeds	Tateh Surfer Finisher (Bangus)	25 kg	~₱1,350	~24%	Finisher stage. Floating pellet. Contact Santeh Feeds direct for volume discount.
HOC PO	HOC PO Premium Floater (Bangus/Tilapia)	25 kg	~₱600	~24–27%	Budget brand. Available via Facebook sellers in Bulacan area at ~₱600/sack (25 kg). Lower cost but protein and FCR may be lower than premium brands.
Vitarich	Vitarich Aqua Feeds (Bangus)	25 kg	~₱700–₱850	~26%	Vitarich is headquartered in Marilao-San Jose Road, Sta. Rosa 1, Marilao, Bulacan — convenient for Hagonoy/Paombong orders. Strong brand, locally trusted.
RD Feeds / Reagen	RD/Reagen Bangus Pellet	25 kg	~₱650–₱800	~25–27%	Common among Luzon fish farmers. Pricing competitive with Grobest. Verify availability through local agri-vet dealers in Malolos or Bocaue.
Santeh Feeds (Generic)	Generic Floating Fish Feed (Bangus)	25 kg	~₱600	~24%	Lowest-cost commercial option. Acceptable for transition/stunting phases. Do not use for main grow-out if FCR performance matters.

Important pricing note: Feed prices above are compiled from SEAFDEC economic models (2022–2024 data), BAI procurement records, and farmer forum postings. Actual retail prices at Bulacan dealers may vary ₱50–₱150 per sack depending on season and volume. Always request a price list from the supplier on the day of purchase. Global feed ingredient costs (soybean, fishmeal) fluctuate and affect these prices quarterly.

Closest feed manufacturer to your farm: Vitarich Corporation is based in Marilao, Bulacan — roughly 35–45 minutes from Hagonoy/Paombong. They offer direct supply arrangements for volume buyers. Call: (02) 8843-3033. Grobest's mill in Gerona, Tarlac is about 1.5 hours away.

D

Section 3

Registered Feed Dealers Near Hagonoy & Paombong

Source: Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Registered Feed Establishments list, as of June 30, 2024. These are legally registered dealers in Region 3, Bulacan. Always verify current operating status and product availability by calling ahead.

BAI Registered

DLS Trading

Purok 5, San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan

This is the only BAI-registered feed dealer confirmed to be physically inside Hagonoy. License: DL-17-208. Aaron or Sean should visit this establishment first — it is the nearest registered dealer to the farm areas.

License No: DL-17-208 (BAI Region 3)

Products likely include: commercial fish feed pellets, possible agri-supplies

Hagonoy, IN TOWN BAI-licensed

BAI Registered

TRI-ACCESS Veterinary Trading Corporation

Cagayan Valley Road, Tabang, Plaridel, Bulacan

Registered feed distributor in Region 3. License: D 23-23400R3. Plaridel is on the north side of Bulacan, approx. 45 min–1 hr from Hagonoy. May carry aquaculture feed brands.

License No: D 23-23400R3 (BAI Region 3)

Plaridel, Bulacan BAI-licensed distributor

BAI Registered

HGINN Trading

Warehouse Balubaran St., Duhat, Bocaue, Bulacan

Registered feed distributor, License: D-15-1423. Bocaue is on the southern side of Bulacan, along the main highway — more accessible from urban suppliers. Could serve as a secondary feed distributor contact.

License No: D-15-1423 (BAI Region 3)

Bocaue, Bulacan Feed distributor

BAI Registered

JFL Agri-Venture Supplies

#662 Diversion Road, Mabolo, City of Malolos, Bulacan

Registered feed distributor, License: D-16-1593. Malolos is the capital of Bulacan, about 25–35 minutes from Hagonoy. Likely carries full range of commercial fish feed brands for the province.

License No: D-16-1593 (BAI Region 3)

Malolos, Bulacan Capital area distributor

BAI Registered

Holly Farms, Inc.

Bo. Guyong, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

BAI-registered feed dealer, License: DL-17-230. Sta. Maria is a known agribusiness hub in Bulacan. Holly Farms likely handles poultry and aquaculture feeds.

License No: DL-17-230 (BAI Region 3)

Sta. Maria, Bulacan

BAI Registered

Bounty Fresh Food / Bounty Farms, Inc.

Bo. Guyong, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Two separate BAI-registered dealer licenses (DL-17-233 and DL-17-235). Bounty Fresh/Farms is a major integrated poultry/livestock company in Bulacan but also holds feed dealer licenses. May carry commercial aquafeed brands as part of their agri-supply network.

License Nos: DL-17-233 & DL-17-235

Sta. Maria, Bulacan Large agribusiness

BAI Registered

Vitarich Corporation — Marilao Plant

Marilao-San Jose Road, Sta. Rosa 1, Marilao, Bulacan

Vitarich's main Bulacan facility. Primarily a feed manufacturer, not a retail dealer, but volume buyers can contact them directly. The closest major feed manufacturer to Hagonoy/Paombong farms. They have 45,000+ farmer partners nationwide.

Tel: (02) 8843-3033 | inquiry@vitarich.com

Direct manufacturer pricing for volume orders — negotiate

Marilao, Bulacan Feed manufacturer Direct purchase option

Feed Manufacturer

Santeh Feeds Corp. (Tateh Brand)

Main: Metro Manila / Nationwide distribution

Makes the Tateh Aquafeeds brand (35 years in Philippine aquaculture). Has a registered feed distributor license for Hagonoy, Davao del Sur (different Hagonoy) but distributes nationwide. Contact their main office to find the nearest authorized reseller in Hagonoy/Paombong, Bulacan.

Tel: +63 2 8375-1560 to 62 | +63 2 8374-8031 | +63 917 817 3474

Website: tateh.com

Tateh Grower 25 kg: ~₱1,400 | Tateh Starter 25 kg: ~₱1,500

Premium aquafeed brand Call for local dealer

P

Section 4

Current Price Index — Fingerlings & Feed (2024–2025)

Item	Unit	Price Range	Source / Notes
Bangus fry (wild / hatchery)	Per piece	₱0.30–₱0.50	SEAFDEC/BFAR reference. Smallest stage (1–2 cm). Not suitable for direct pond stocking without nursery.
Bangus fingerlings — 2–3 inch	Per piece	₱1.20–₱4.00	Smaller sizes, shorter nursery. Observed prices from Bulacan/Taliptip sellers. Wide range — verify with supplier.
Bangus fingerlings — 3–4 inch	Per piece	₱6.00–₱7.00	Standard pond stocking size. Binmaley, Pangasinan price (Aug 2024): ₱6.50 (3 inch), ₱7.00 (4 inch+). SEAFDEC cage model uses ₱6.00/piece.
Bangus fingerlings — 4 inch and above	Per piece	₱7.00–₱10.00	Larger fingerlings = faster harvest but higher upfront cost. Better survival on stocking. Recommended for Hagonoy/Paombong ponds given tidal conditions.
Feed — Starter (25 kg sack)	Per sack	₱600–₱1,500	HOC PO budget: ~₱600. Grobest Aqua Best: ~₱617–₱750. Tateh premium: ~₱1,500. Range reflects brand tier.
Feed — Grower (25 kg sack)	Per sack	₱600–₱1,400	SEAFDEC reference: ₱732/sack (25 kg). Tateh Grower: ~₱1,400. Grobest: ~₱650–760.
Feed — Finisher (25 kg sack)	Per sack	₱600–₱1,350	SEAFDEC reference: ₱725/sack. Tateh Finisher: ~₱1,350. Cheaper than starter/grower per sack.
Bangus farmgate price — Bulacan/Metro Manila	Per kg	₱150–₱220	BFAR NCPMR Jan 2025: Bulacan/Pangasinan bangus ₱180/kg (wholesale). Retail market price ₱180–₱250/kg depending on size. Jumbo: up to ₱280/kg.
Fingerlings transport cost (plastic bag + O2)	Per 1,000 pcs	₱200–₱500	Estimate for transport within Luzon. Actual cost depends on distance and supplier. Confirm who bears transport cost when ordering.

Planning benchmark: For a 1-hectare pond, budget approximately ₱30,000–₱50,000 for fingerlings (5,000 pcs at ₱6–10/each) and ₱60,000–₱150,000 for feed per grow-out cycle of 4–5 months, depending on the feed brand and FCR achieved.

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Section 5

Red Flags — Supplier Scams & Quality Problems to Avoid

RF-1: Seller cannot provide BFAR registration number
Any legitimate bangus fingerling hatchery operating for commercial sale should be registered with BFAR under the Registered Aquaculture Farms system (updated January 2025). If a seller cannot give you their BFAR farm registration code, treat with extreme caution.
Fix: Ask for the BFAR Certificate of Registration before placing any deposit. You can cross-check at r3.bfar.da.gov.ph or call BFAR Region 3 directly.
RF-2: Facebook-only seller with no physical farm address
A major red flag in the Philippine aquaculture community is sellers who operate only through Facebook Messenger with no verifiable farm address. Multiple scam reports exist in Filipino fish farming groups where buyers paid deposits and received nothing.
Fix: Always visit the farm (or have a local proxy visit) before placing orders above ₱5,000. Demand a barangay address, not just a municipality name.
RF-3: Fingerlings delivered at wrong time of day (midday heat)
SEAFDEC and BFAR research both confirm: fingerlings should be harvested and transported in early morning or late afternoon only. If a supplier delivers midday or allows harvest in warm water, the fish will be stressed and mortality will spike within 24 hours.
Fix: Specify early morning delivery (before 8am) or late afternoon (after 4pm) in your purchase agreement. Reject any delivery that arrives during midday heat without a cooled transport system.
RF-4: Fingerlings sourced from wild catch (not hatchery)
Wild-caught bangus fry often carry parasites, predators, and disease organisms that are absent in hatchery stock. The Philippine industry has documented mass losses from ectoparasites (Lernaea anchor worm) introduced via wild fry.
Fix: Ask the supplier whether fingerlings are hatchery-raised or wild-caught. Hatchery fingerlings are safer — predator-free and with documented survival rates.
RF-5: Fingerlings that sink or swim erratically
SEAFDEC describes how to check fingerling health: (1) Rotate water in a container clockwise — healthy fingerlings swim vigorously against the current; (2) Tap the container — healthy fish dart quickly downward; (3) Fish that float on the surface or swim sideways are already weak or dying.
Fix: Inspect a sample of fingerlings in a bucket of clean water before accepting the full delivery. Reject lots where more than 2% of sampled fish show abnormal behavior.
RF-6: Price too low (below ₱1.00/piece for 3-inch fingerlings)
Legitimate 3-inch bangus fingerlings from known suppliers cost ₱6.00–₱7.00 per piece. Offers significantly below market (for example, ₱1.20 or less for 3-inch fish) are a signal of either extremely low-quality stock, undercounting (fewer fish delivered than paid for), or outright fraud.
Fix: If the price is much lower than the market, demand to count a sample box and verify total. Industry standard: 25,000 pieces per box in transport bags.
RF-7: Feed sold without BAI dealer registration
Feed dealers in the Philippines must be registered with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Unregistered dealers may sell counterfeit, expired, or improperly stored feed that has degraded protein content. This directly affects your FCR and final harvest weight.
Fix: Purchase feed only from the BAI-registered dealers listed in Section 3 of this document, or from other dealers who can show their BAI license-to-operate number.
RF-8: Salinity shock on delivery (no acclimation)
Bangus fingerlings transported at seawater salinity (25 ppt+) and dumped directly into a brackishwater pond (5–15 ppt) without acclimation will suffer mass mortality within hours. This is a common cause of "supplier fingerlings dying" complaints in Bulacan.
Fix: Upon delivery, float the sealed transport bags in your pond water for 5–10 minutes, then slowly mix transport water with pond water before releasing the fish. SEAFDEC recommends acclimation of at least 5–10 minutes for every 5 ppt difference in salinity.
RF-9: Feed bags with damaged or resealed packaging
Fish feed is highly moisture-sensitive. Damaged, rewetted, or resealed bags indicate improper storage. Moldy or rancid feed not only underperforms on growth — it can cause disease outbreaks.
Fix: Check bags on delivery — refuse any with torn seams, moisture marks, or unusual smell. Proper storage per Grobest guidelines: dry place below 40°C, away from direct sunlight.

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Section 6

Action Checklist for Aaron & Sean — Ground Sourcing Steps

1. Call BFAR Region 3 (San Fernando, Pampanga: r3.bfar.da.gov.ph). Ask for: (a) list of registered bangus fingerling hatcheries nearest to Hagonoy/Paombong, and (b) whether the farm qualifies for fingerling subsidies or the National Bangus Development Program.
2. Visit DLS Trading in Hagonoy (Purok 5, San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan — BAI License DL-17-208). This is the only BAI-registered feed dealer physically in Hagonoy. Confirm what brands they carry, current prices per sack, and whether they take volume orders.
3. Call Vitarich Marilao ((02) 8843-3033) and Santeh/Tateh Feeds (+63 917 817 3474). Ask for: (a) nearest authorized reseller to Hagonoy or Paombong, and (b) volume pricing for 100+ sacks of Grower feed per cycle.
4. Call RJM Fingerlings (09050445619 — Calumpit/Pampanga area). Confirm they have bangus fingerlings available in the 3–4 inch size range, ask current price per piece, and request a farm address for a physical visit.
5. Contact Finfish Hatcheries Inc. (+63 2 982-3035, Makati office) for large-volume fingerling orders. Ask about: delivery lead time to Bulacan, pricing for 50,000–100,000 pieces, and whether they can supply directly to Hagonoy/Paombong.
6. Visit JFL Agri-Venture Supplies in Malolos (#662 Diversion Road, Mabolo, Malolos City, Bulacan — BAI License D-16-1593). Check if they carry Grobest, Tateh, or RD feed brands and what their delivery terms are to Hagonoy/Paombong.
7. Ask local Hagonoy/Paombong fishpond operators which fingerling suppliers and feed brands they use. Word-of-mouth from active neighboring farmers is the most reliable quality signal — especially for fingerling sourcing.
8. Do not pay full deposit before visiting any fingerling farm. For any supplier, verify: BFAR registration number, physical farm location, current stock count, and transport method before committing funds.

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Section 7

Data Gaps — What Requires Ground-Level Confirmation

Exact BFAR-registered hatchery names in Bulacan or Pampanga: The BFAR Registered Aquaculture Farms PDF (January 2025) requires direct access to extract Region 3 bangus hatchery registrations. Aaron or Sean should request this list from BFAR Region 3 directly.
Current phone numbers for DLS Trading (Hagonoy): The BAI list confirms address but does not list a phone number. A physical visit or local inquiry is needed.
Exact current prices from local dealers: All feed prices in this document are estimated from 2022–2024 data. Prices must be confirmed with each dealer on the day of purchase.
Fingerling lead times from Pangasinan/Sarangani: Transport time, minimum order quantities, and delivery schedules from out-of-region suppliers were not confirmed. Needs direct phone inquiry.
Paombong-specific agri-vet stores: No BAI-registered feed dealer was found with a Paombong address specifically. The nearest confirmed registered dealer is in Hagonoy (DLS Trading) and Malolos (JFL).
Minimum order quantities from Finfish Hatcheries Inc.: FHI typically supplies in large volumes (500,000+ fry). Fingerling minimums for a small 1–2 hectare farm need to be confirmed by calling their Makati office.
Community nursery operators near Hagonoy/Paombong: Local small-scale nursery operators (stunting pond operators) who sell fingerlings within Bulacan were not individually identified online. BFAR Region 3 or the Bulacan Provincial Fisheries office would have this information.

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Sources

Research Sources & References

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) — Registered Feed Establishment list, as of June 30, 2024. BAI Feed Dealer PDF [Confirmed DLS Trading Hagonoy, JFL Malolos, HGINN Bocaue]
BFAR — Registered Aquaculture Farms as of January 1, 2025. BFAR Registered Farms PDF [January 2025 data]
BFAR Region 3 Official Website — r3.bfar.da.gov.ph BFAR Region 3 [Current]
BFAR Philippines Facebook — Finfish Hatcheries Inc. Paombong donation post (fingerlings donated to BFAR Region 3 in Paombong, Bulacan, August 2025). BFAR Philippines Facebook [August 2025]
BFAR National Price Monitoring Report — January 2025 and May 2025. BFAR NCPMR Jan 2025 [January 2025 & May 2025]
SEAFDEC/AQD — Farming Milkfish (technical reference, cost models). SEAFDEC Milkfish [2022–2023 data]
SEAFDEC — Milkfish Fry and Fingerling Industry of the Philippines (technical report). SEAFDEC MFFIP [Industry reference, transport and quality guidelines]
Grobest Philippines — Aqua Best Bangus Feed product specs. Grobest Aqua Best Bangus [Current product specs; Gerona, Tarlac mill]
Santeh Feeds Corporation / Tateh Aquafeeds. tateh.com [Price data from Facebook seller posts and Lazada listings, 2024]
Vitarich Corporation — Marilao, Bulacan. vitarich.com [Location confirmed; current product pricing not publicly listed]
Finfish Hatcheries Inc. — Profile and contact. FHI on AquaNet [Makati contact: +63 2 982-3035]
Sarangani Bay (FHI hatchery operations). saranganibay.com.ph [Hatchery capacity data]
Facebook Groups (verified seller posts): "Bangus Farming Pangasinan," "Bulacan/Pampanga tilapia, hito, bangus, vannamei Fingerlings," "Bangus Farming Philippines." [Price observations Aug 2024 — confirm current pricing before purchasing]
PCAARRD/DOST — Milkfish ISP platform (industry overview, challenges). ispweb.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/milkfish [Industry context data]
Bulacan Provincial Development Plan (PDPFP 2024–2036). Bulacan PDPFP 2024–2036 [Confirms Hagonoy and Paombong as coastal fishery zones, April 2025]