An island of ironies

DA-BFAR TO ESTABLISH

BOHOL FISH MARKETS

By Manny Piñol

For an island province surrounded by traditional fishing grounds in the Visayas, Bohol stands out as one of the areas in the country with the most expensive fish sold in the markets.

In fact, the lowly Galunggong priced in Metro Manila markets at an average of P140 per kilo is sold in Bohol for P200 per kilo.

When I was in Bohol on Tuesday, I stirred the hornet’s nest when I publicly questioned the very high price of fish in the island in the presence of Governor Edgar Chatto, Cong. Rene Relampagos and other local officials during the opening of the Sandugo Festival in Tagbilaran City.

The following day, in Loon town where the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources turned over 55 units of fiberglass fishing boats to local fishermen, I repeated the same concern but I also offered solutions.

As an immediate action, I directed BFAR Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona to “flood” Bohol with fish sources from nearby provinces, including the fish-rich Zamboanga del Norte which is located south of the island.

I also asked BFAR to support fishermen’s groups in developing fish farming using fish cages to be established in the many coves of the island.

BFAR’s Bohol Bangus Hatchery is the top producer of fry supplying fishponds all over the country with about 8-million fry every month.

I also announced that I will ask the board of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) to open a loaning program for fish cage farming and fishpond development.

Cold storage and ice-making facilities will also be established in the different fishing grounds of the province to provide post-harvest facilities.

Yesterday, I met with top officials of BFAR in my office and instructed them to launch the Bohol Fish Market in Tagbilaran City within 30 days to make good my commitment to “flood” the island with affordable fish.

The Bohol Fish Market, as envisioned, will not only serve as a fish supply depot but will also be designed to be a tourist attraction similar to the famous “Dampa” on Macapagal Avenue in the reclamation area in Pasay City.

#LapadAngDagatMahalAngIsda!

#Changeishere!

#DuterteDelivers!

(Photos show the fiberglass boats turned over to the fishermen of Loon, Bohol on Wednesday. Last photo shows Bangus produced from the fish cages in Malalag Bay in Davao which could serve as the model for the fish cages to be established in Bohol.)