It's harvest time for Diwal in Roxas City
ROXAS CITY – Exotic seafoods like Diwal (angel wings) is now available in the market here ranging from P250 to P350 per kilo depending on its size. Diwal, a seasonal marine resource, is abundant in Roxas City, Capiz, the Seafoods Capital of the Philippines.
Mr. Rey Cordenillo said some three tons were already harvested by the Roxas City Divers Association (ROCDA) starting from July 10. He said that harvest time will end on September 10.
According to him, the city government regulated the Diwal extraction from Brgy. Punta Cogon here where the ROCDA will have a margin of P150/kilo from Diwal.
Diwal is a sweet, juicy and tender tasting bivalve which is abundant during the months from May to July.
However, it disappeared from the city's coastal waters several years ago due to indiscriminate fishing methods employed by some fishermen.
In 1994, the city government declared a moratorium on the gathering of Diwal and funded a study of the Institute of Agriculture, College of Fisheries, University of the Philippines in the Visayas in Iloilo to establish sanctuaries for Diwal and help regenerate its dwindling population.
The study eventually succeeded in making possible the resurgence of the prized bivalve and its continuing existence.
During the stint of former Mayor Antonio del Rosario, now 1st district congressman, in the year 2005 and 2006 Diwal Festival was held to promote the bivalve.
However, it was stopped during the time of City Mayor Vicente Bermejo because it has become scarce after its sanctuaries were damaged because of indiscriminate fishing and exploitation of some fishermen. It was learned that typhoons contribute to the disappearance of Diwal in Roxas City bay.