The wet market price of fish and fishery products saw a steep increase during the months of November 2018 to February 2019, the designated three-month closed fishing season mandated under the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3 of BFAR.  Galunggong (Roundscad spp.), once dubbed as the “poor man’s fish,” averaged from 180.00 PhP to 200.00 PhP per kilo at the wet markets, while maintaining an average of 90.00 PhP to 100.00 PhP per kilo at the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC). The high price of fish and fishery products succeeding the closed fishing season, however, finally prompted the Government’s response.

Thus, on April 08, 2019, The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Private Sector, and the Local Government of Antipolo City launched “isDA ON THE GO,” the Authority’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project, at the Antipolo City Hall grounds. “IsDA ON THE GO is aimed to ensure food security, and public welfare and safety, through the provision of affordable and stable supply of fish and fishery products to the consuming public.

The Project launch was attended by DA-Undersecretary and BFAR Director Eduardo B. Gongona, DA-Undersecretary for Operations Engr. Ariel T. Cayanan, PFDA General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, PFDA Assistant General Manager Atty. Loralie C. Datahan, DA-Deputy Executive Director Annray V. Rivera, City Administrator Atty. Henry R. Rosantina, Liga ng mga Baranggay ng Antipolo President Jonathan Salen, and other key officials of Antipolo City,

Antipolo City is the pioneer site of the Project, with a population of approximately 892,844 in 2019, the highest in Region IV-A and the seventh in the Philippines.  Several more cities within Metro Manila are planned for Project implementation within the year, such as Quezon, Taguig, Muntinlupa, and Manila to name a few.