As the colder months approach, bangus growers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan are facing the challenge of the growth of milkfish getting slower, with the cold weather affecting the fish’ appetite and feed consumption.

Rodolfo Laigue, a bangus grower, shared how feeding his fish has become a challenge during the colder season.

"Kapag matagal kumain ang mga isda, matagal lumaki, mabagal. Yung iniisip mong target mo four months, hindi mo kaya yun," he said.

Previously, he used to feed 15 bags of feeds daily, but now he struggles to finish eight.

Typically, bangus takes about three to four months to grow, but with the "ber months," it can take up to six months.

Laigue also noted the changes in water levels.

"Kapag ganitong ‘ber’ months na mataas ang tubig sa gabi pero sa umaga ganito mababa. Ibig sabihin nun konti na naman mapapakain mo," he said.

Despite this, Rosendo So, chairman of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), assured that there is enough supply of bangus, although prices have gone up due to higher production costs.

"So far, yung supply ng bangus, enough naman… siyempre, ‘yung presyo mas mataas ngayon kasi ýung production cost mataas sila," he said.