Monthly fish unloading in Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Regional Fish Ports (RFP) reached 46,935.07 metric tons (MT) in March 2023, a significant 43.56 percent jump in comparison to last month’s record.
Reports showed that fish unloading in the PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC) is responsible for almost half the total catch of all the ports combined at 23,210.07 MT. While achieving this feat, the GenSan port maintained a positive trend with a 40.21% increase in volume compared to February unloading.
Also stepping up its performance this month was the PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) with 16,733.55 MT of fish (44.5% increase).
In addition, the PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex (PFDA-LFPC) and the PFDA – Bulan Fish Port Complex (PFDA-BFPC) increased their fish unloading records for two consecutive months this year. These Luzon ports delivered 2,329.38 MT (29.92% increase) and 1,613.78 MT (227.24% increase) of fish, respectively.
Moreover, the PFDA – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) and the PFDA – Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (PFDA-ZFPC) are also having a two-month rise this year after delivering 2,002.74 MT (36.59% increase) and 695.56 MT (16.34 increase) of fish to their consumers.
Furthermore, the PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC) has recovered from last month’s decline with 350.004 MT of fish (128.99% increase).
This favorable circumstance in March can be related to the onset of the dry season with generally fair-weather conditions and calmer seas, making it more advantageous for fishing activities.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) joins the nationwide celebration and preservation of the Filipino culture during the opening ceremony of the Filipino Food Month (FFM) 2023 with the theme “Pagkaing Sariling Atin, Mahalin at Pagyamanin” held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall and simultaneously via live stream on April 3, 2023.
Led by the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Filipino Food Month Celebration 2023 is in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM).
Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Chairperson, DA-National Steering Committee for Filipino Food Month Celebration, welcomed everyone who had helped in this movement to promote Filipino food and culture. Engr. Ampatuan encourages everyone to promote Filipino food. He said that “the more that we consume our own [food], there will be much more incentive for our farmers and fisherfolks to produce agricultural products.”
Meanwhile, in his keynote message, His Excellency President and concurrent Department of Agriculture Secretary Mr. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. enjoined everyone to learn the history of Filipino local dishes and delicacies so that we may further understand and strengthen our identity.
“I call for everyone to remain steadfast in promoting and preserving our food heritage as this gives us a glimpse of our customs, beliefs, and values as a society. May this event also provide a platform to acknowledge the role of our local communities, especially our farmers and fisherfolk and other sectors involved in food production, the culinary industry, and national food security,” President Marcos Jr. said.
Subsequently, esteemed representatives of the Filipino Food Month Stakeholders shared their messages of support for this year’s Filipino Food Month Celebration.
NCAA Legal Office Head Atty. Jose Vincenzo A. Vizcarra, DOT Undersecretary Ms. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Mr. Clark Jantzen Lim of the PCHM Board of Trustees, and DA Senior Undersecretary Mr. Domingo F. Panganiban have declared their support to the month-long celebration.
Afterward, Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs Ms. Kristine Y. Evangelista said that this month-long event honors our broad and rich culinary legacy which reflects the unique combination of our cultural influence and traditions. Ms. Evangelista said that “we acknowledge the significance of agriculture in our daily lives and that the DA works relentlessly to promote sustainable agricultural practices and enhance our food security. Through our efforts to promote Filipino food, we are able to increase the demand and encourage more people to buy what our farmers produce.”
Some other highlights of the program were the presentation of various Filipino delicacies from different offices and attached agencies under the DA. In addition, a Ceremonial Toast and the Unveiling of the Filipino Food Month Celebration 2023 theme were also part of the opening ceremony.
Market Operations Division Chief of PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) Mr. Melvin Rabang, Public Information Division Officer-in-Charge Mr. Miguel M. Pilarta, and Ms. Mae Angelica R. Medina of PFDA-NFPC represented the agency. They brought with them sinaing na galunggong, a famous Filipino dish from Batangas where the fish is slowly cooked in a pot until the flesh and bones are tender and infused with subtle tangy flavors.
April of every year is declared as Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 469. This national celebration aims to preserve, enrich, and promote Filipino cuisine as part of the nation’s cultural heritage, history, and identity.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) joined various government maritime agencies and private maritime stakeholders in a forum entitled “Port Digitalization and Modernization: Fueling our way to become an Asian Maritime Hub”, held at the Citadines Bay City Manila, Pasay City on March 30, 2023.
Organized by The Manila Times, the assembly firmly calls for full digitalization of the Philippine maritime industry to satisfy global demand for a modernized maritime hub.
Guest speakers from various maritime agencies shared their knowledge and ways forward to accelerate the integrated development of the Philippine maritime industry.
Atty. Mark Jon S. Palomar of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) shared the agency’s digital infrastructure projects that are aimed to provide seamless services in ports. During his talk, Atty. Palomar presented the PPA’s Digitalization Roadmap 2021-2023. He said that the PPA believes that digitalization is the way forward to provide real-time data in one platform, become paperless, and reduce time and cost while increasing transparency, cybersecurity, and market access.
On the other hand, Ms. Mary Ann Pastrana, Chairperson of the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, presented modernized services offered to their clients and stakeholders. Ms. Pastrana said that digitalization is what people want in an industry that is mostly driven by traditional business models. She noted the need for digital transformation and the incorporation of technological advancements to further challenge the status quo and promote cultural change.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nannette Z. Villamor-Dinopol, Deputy Administrator for Operations of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), presented the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028. Ms. Dinopol said that the Plan is consistent with the core principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations and the principle of “leaving no one behind” as well as the achievement of the long-term vision for the Filipinos to enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life.
Ms. Dinopol believes that the support of the national government and the stakeholders on the implementation of the updated MIDP in the context of a whole-of-nation approach is one of the keys for the Philippines to become a maritime hub in Asia.
Finally, Atty. Brenda Pimentel of The Manila Times talked about how digitization and digitalization can be the key to making the Philippines a maritime hub and the challenges that the country might face along the way.
Representatives from the PFDA Central Office and Regional Fish Ports attended the forum.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with photos from Erikah Mae D. Hesarza – OSD-RMPOD)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Top Management conducted a site inspection on the ongoing rehabilitation projects in PFDA – Sual Fish Port (PFDA-SFP) on March 30, 2023.
Led by PFDA Officer-in-Charge General Manager (OIC-GM) Ms. Iris R. de Vera, the visiting team was joined by PFDA-SFP OIC Port Manager Mr. Francisco Romeo G. Escandor, Jr. during the comprehensive assessment of the current state of the development and improvement in the port.
The visit also aims to check the status of the project and to identify possible issues and areas of improvement for a new and improved Sual port.
As of February 2023, the ongoing rehabilitation in the PFDA-SFP is currently at a 60% completion rate and is expected to be finished by the end of the year.
During the site visit, along with the OIC-GM were Corporate Planning and MIS Department Manager Ms. Gina J. Reyes, Operations Services Department Manager Mr. Eric M. Sims, Technical Services Department – Construction Management Division Chief Engr. Eduardo Manalo, and HG-III Construction & Development Corp. EVP Engr. Leilani D. Panesa.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Rodel B. Gabuya – PFDA-SFP)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Lucena Fish Port Complex (PFDA-LFPC) attended the blessing and grand launching of Batangas-based shipping company Montenegro Shipping Lines Incorporated’s newest roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) passenger vessel, M/V Santa Alberta, held at San Pedro Shipyard Corporation in PFDA-LFPC on March 27, 2023.
The San Pedro Shipyard Corporation, a subsidiary of Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc., is the present lessee of the PFDA-LFPC’s shipyard and workshop facilities. The M/V Santa Alberta is the fifth ro-ro vessel to be built entirely at the shipyard since they started the lease and operation in CY 2016.
PFDA-LFPC Port Manager Mr. Custodio L. Balaoing Jr. and other staff of PFDA-LFPC attended the launching ceremony of the new passenger vessel that can accommodate almost 500 passengers and 22 freight vehicles.
Aside from the construction of vessels, the shipyard also caters to the repair and maintenance of fishing boats and other passenger and cargo vessels.
The grand launching of M/V Santa Alberta, which was named after their beloved grandmother, coincides with the celebration of National Women’s Month 2023. The new vessel will be deployed in Calapan, Mindoro-Batangas (and vice-versa), and is set to contribute to tourism and business activities in the area.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Genesis L. Bernaldez – PFDA-LFPC)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC), in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Navotas City, conducted an orientation on “Fire Prevention and the Role of Women in Disaster Risk Management” as part of the month-long observance of the 2023 National Women’s Month and Fire Prevention Month, held at the PFDA-NFPC Gender and Development (GAD) Center on March 22, 2023.
Through the PFDA-NFPC GAD Technical Working Group, port employees learned about fire prevention and protection information to use in day-to-day activity and how to properly respond to fire incidents. Resource speakers from the BFP shared their knowledge about possible sources of fire and the dangers it may cause.
Also, the lecture discussed women's rights under the Magna Carta of Women and the important role of women during disasters.
According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, women are more than just victims of disasters. They are powerful agents of change, and they have unique knowledge and skills that are crucial when addressing or managing risks. However, the potential contributions that women can offer to the disaster risk reduction imperative around the world are often overlooked and female leadership in building community resilience to disasters is frequently disregarded.
Moreover, BFP representatives held a demonstration of the proper use of fire extinguishers and fire truck hoses to immediately put out a fire.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Kristine Joy Tuazon, Mae Angelica Medina, and Rommel Quindoyos – PFDA-NFPC)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Regional Fish Ports (RFP) delivered 32,694.01 metric tons (MT) of fish to consumers despite the effects brought about by a low pressure area (LPA) and Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) in February 2023.
Records showed that the PFDA – Bulan Fish Port Complex (PFDA-BFPC) had the highest turnout in terms of percentage rise after unloading 493.15 MT of fish, equivalent to a 1221.76% rise compared to last month’s volume.
In addition, fish unloading in the PFDA – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) and the PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex (PFDA-LFPC) maintained an upward trend and remained in the thousands amidst scattered rains across the country. The ports unloaded 1,466.29 MT (16.78% increase) and 1,792.89 (6.22% increase) of fish, respectively.
Moreover, the PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC) reported the most significant increase in terms of volume after delivering 16,554.21 MT of fish (9.47% increase).
Despite an ongoing fishing ban in the waters of the Zamboanga Peninsula, the PFDA – Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (PFDA-ZFPC) netted 597.87 MT of fish (7.01% increase). As the fishing season for sardines reopens in March, fish unloading is expected to increase for the Zambo port.
Meanwhile, the PFDA – Sual Fish Port (PFDA-SFP) returned to sea and delivered 56.35 MT of fish.
On the other hand, the PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) recorded a dip in its fish unloading volume. Nevertheless, the Navotas port unloaded 11,580.40 MT, the second-highest volume of fish in February.
Also, the PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC) experienced a slight drop in fish unloading but managed to distribute 152.85 MT of fish to its clients and stakeholders.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)
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