The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will hold a public scoping session on 6 August 2025 for a proposed ₱500 million expansion of a shrimp farm in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, led by Aqua Biological Industries Corp. (Aqua Bio).
The session is a key step in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and will allow the public, stakeholders, and local officials to hear about the project’s scope, raise environmental or social concerns, and provide feedback directly to the proponent.
Aqua Bio plans to expand its vannamei shrimp production on a 39.4-hectare leased site adjacent to the Davao Gulf, targeting an annual yield of 250,000 kilograms. The company said the expansion responds to growing demand for shrimp in both domestic and international markets. It also aims to generate local jobs, increase tax revenue, and boost allied industries such as feed production and logistics.
The site has been zoned for aquaculture use since 1979 and has no nearby residential or institutional developments. Aqua Bio, which began operating in the area in 2018 by leasing ponds from Aquamines Philippines Inc., emphasized that no alternative locations are being considered due to the site’s suitability and ongoing development.
The firm says the project aligns with national development goals, supporting food security and rural economic development, while maintaining a commitment to sustainable aquaculture practices.
The public scoping is open to residents, civil society groups, and other interested parties and will form part of the basis for the project’s eventual Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
