Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol has directed the immediate re-order of some seven metric tons (MT) of fishery products from regions VIII and X, following the success of the Bohol Fish Market launched on August 16, 2018.
“From a rating of 1-10, Bohol Fish Market is 11. It is very successful,” Piñol said after having witnessed buyers from around Tagbilaran City swarm the 1st day of the DA-led event.
During the opening, close to 7.2 MT fishes were sold even before lunchtime, with vendors earning P30,000 from a half-day’s worth of labor.
“The outcome is very overwhelming,” Piñol said.
Bohol Fish Market was conceived after the agri chief learned that Bohol, even if surrounded by bodies of water and fishing grounds, sells the priciest fish and aquamarine products in its markets.
During his visit in Bohol on July 17, he ordered Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director, Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona to “flood Bohol with fish resources from nearby provinces.”
“There is a disconnection between the fishers and the consumers, that caused the skyrocketing of prices, Piñol said.
“With this strategy, we are bringing the produce directly to the buyers from the producers, and everybody wins,” he added.
Market goers were able to buy fishes cheaper by more than P100, including Matambaka and Galunggong at P158 and P110 per kilo respectively.
“We cannot guarantee that the price of the fishes sold here will always be as low as today, but it will definitely be lower that the current market prices,” he stressed.
To assure sustainability of the initiative, the Secretary has ordered the release of financial assistance to the wives and daughters of the fishermen who will manage the fish stalls.
“You can avail of the P50,000 per family loan from the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council to help you with your capital needs,” Piñol said.
The loan with an annual interest of only 6% is payable in 10 years.
“This is not just a 2-day event, as this will be institutionalized,” he announced, adding that the Bohol success will serve as a model for the implementation of a nationwide fish market program.
After the launch, Piñol ordered that the Bohol Fish Market be opened every weekend at the APC until the identification of a permanent location.
Coinciding with the event is the launch of twin projects under DA which seek to help farmers increase and improve productivity.
The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan: Rural Farmers Training Program, to be implemented with the help of the SM Foundation Inc. and Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, will provide farmers season-long training on vegetable farming.
The Financial Literacy Program was also set in motion to provide farmers and fishers technical know-hows on cash flow management and farm budget organization. ### (oda rodriguez/DA-AFID)
