DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Zamboanga del Norte recently
conducted the stakeholders’ meeting for the processed fish industry at the
Bamboo Garden Function Room capped by the presentation of the Processed Fish
Action Plan 2013.
“Our very own Spanish
Style Sardines can make it global and the demand for export would be greater if
instead of processing it in bottles, we will store it in cans,” said Noel R.
Bazan, DTI provincial director and product manager for the processed fish industry.
Bazan presented the
problems besetting the fish industry. These are the lack of cold storage
facility; the inadequate capacity of some firms (micro) to put up or upgrade
their facility to meet Food Safety Standards (i.e. FDA license to operate);
certificate of product registration, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP) certification; the high shipping cost; and unavailability of cargo
vessels.
Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Asst. Regional Director Engr. Joseph C. Florig said
that businessmen in the fish industry need cold storage facility to ascertain
whether they have the ability to supply fish in a certain period of time.
Engr. Florig gave an
update on the cold storage facility in Dapitan City.
“With a cold storage, to
become a millionaire is not impossible,” he added.
Florig said the proposal
was to offer each room of the storage facility in Dapitan with the fish
industry as a priority. “What then the government will do is to monitor and
collect for rentals. The maintenance is charged to the lessee,” he explained.
However, such proposal
still needs the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (PIA9)
