Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) conducted the blessing of reefer vans and chest freezers as part of the expansion of the agency’s isDA ON THE GO (iOTG) Flagship Project to extend the delivery of adequate fishery products nationwide through all Regional Fish Ports (RFPs), held at PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) on September 28, 2021.
In a bid to strengthen the supply of high-quality and affordable fresh-frozen fish, the agency is set to distribute 100 units of chest inverter freezers (50 units of 15 cubic ft. and 50 units of 20 cubic ft.) and dispatch 15 units of top-of-the-line refrigerated vans equipped with state-of-the-art devices under the iOTG initiative.
Additionally, the said 100 units of freezers will be distributed to 60 cooperatives of the marginalized sector under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA); 10 to government agencies; and 30 to the community-based organizations and individual partners.
During his message, PFDA General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan thanked everyone who attended this momentous activity. He said this event is a step closer to delivering iOTG products nationwide.
“Ang programang ito ay naglalayong magdala ng mura at de-kalidad na isda sa buong bansa. Sa ngayon, nakatutok tayo sa Kalakhang Maynila dahil kailangan nating magkaroon ng intervention para makatulong tayo sa maayos na pag-de-deliver ng mga isda sa ating mga consumers lalo’t sa susunod na mga buwan ay magkakaroon ulit ng closed-fishing season,” GM Pangapalan said.
In addition, GM Pangapalan assured that Metro Manila consumers could continuously take advantage of affordable and high-quality fishery products through the iOTG project’s expansion.
“Talagang mas mababa ang presyo sa iOTG sa presyo sa mga palengke dahil from the fish ports, deretso na mismo sa dealer. Makakarating talaga ang mga produkto ng isDA ON THE GO sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan sa tamang presyo,” the General Manager noted.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Commodore Eduardo B Gongona thanked GM Pangapalan and the iOTG team for starting up this initiative.
“Itong isDA ON THE GO ay talagang makakatulong na makarating agad ang mga isda sa mga malalayong lugar dito sa Metro Manila. Ang resulta nito ay happy farmers [and fisherfolk], happy consumers dahil direktang madadala ang mga huling isda sa mga mamimili na magdudulot ng mas mababang presyo,” Director Gongona said.
Upon full implementation of the project expansion, the iOTG project will also be operating in selected areas of Visayas and Mindanao to ensure food security by providing accessible and affordable fish and fishery products across the country.
PFDA Acting Assistant General Manager Ms. Iris R. de Vera, PFDA-NFPC Port Manager Ms. Luz P. Ortiz, all department managers of the PFDA Central Office, and the whole isDA ON THE GO Team attended the activity. Several PFDA-NFPC clients and stakeholders also witnessed the blessing and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the freezers and reefer vans.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division; photos by Johnny A. Basamot – Public Information Division)