Published: 14 February 2022

The province of Iloilo has been one of the most affected provinces by Typhoon Odette. Nevertheless, the resilient hearts of the Ilonggos remain armed with an unwavering desire to achieve greater heights in the new year 2022. As of December 2021, the PFDA – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) takes another step closer towards a stronger fish port as the agency’s rehabilitation Flagship project reaches 58.01% completion.

Published: 14 February 2022

Despite the recent devastation of Typhoon Odette in the southern portion of the country, renovations in the PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC) maintain its course to completion. As of December 2021, the rehabilitation project in the port has finished 86.42%. Soon enough, the PFDA-DFPC can deliver more tons of fishery products and cater to more industry partners and consumers.

Published: 14 February 2022

Braving torrential rains and gusty winds, the PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex (PFDA-LFPC) is inches away from a new and improved Regional Fish Port. The aftermath of Typhoon Odette has left many parts of the country flooded in sadness, but the PFDA-LFPC remains steadfast and steady.

The future is bright for the fish port because, as of December 2021, PFDA-LFPC has completed 87.03% of its construction.

Published: 04 February 2022

Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) conducted an orientation on isDA ON THE GO (iOTG), the agency’s banner Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, with the members of the local government unit in Sogod, Southern Leyte and some cooperatives on January 31, 2022.

Aside from bolstering their knowledge about the agency's mandates, the orientation aims to strengthen the iOTG partnership between the PFDA and Sogod-LGU.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed to formally transfer the units and have them distributed to different strategic areas and barangays. The Sogod-LGU has received 10 brand-new and state-of-the-art inverter chest freezers and one reefer van through the iOTG initiative. 

Regional & Municipal Project Operations Division Chief Ms. Janet T. Manalo led the orientation. During the presentation, Ms. Manalo discussed the program objectives and operation of iOTG. She also explained the project's business model, product lines (frozen fish and fresh fish), and distribution channels.

Furthermore, Ms. Manalo proudly presented the accomplishments and ways forward of the iOTG program.

"The PFDA aims to cascade the iOTG project across all parts of the country para mas malawak na ang mararating at matutulungan ng proyekto. Ang iOTG Program ang sagot ng PFDA upang masolusyonan ang tumataas na presyo at limitadong suplay ng isda sa merkado bunsod ng closed fishing season at COVID-19 pandemic," Ms. Manalo said.

Later in the orientation, Ms. Manalo discussed the roles and responsibilities of PFDA iOTG and its partners, as well as the requirements and criteria before the collaboration with Sogod-LGU starts.

Sogod Mayor Hon. Imelda U. Tan expressed her appreciation to PFDA for providing the people of Sogod with quality and affordable fishery products through the iOTG project. 

“Talagang napasaya ninyo sila [mga taga-Sogod] sa mga naibigay natin [na isda]. We are looking forward to a continuous relationship and partnership with PFDA para ma-fulfill natin ang aim and goal natin na makapagbigay ng available supply ng isda at very affordable prices. Excited ang mga tao sa isDA ON THE GO kaya sana ay magtuloy-tuloy at maging successful ang project na ito,” Mayor Tan said. 

According to former three-termer Sogod Mayor Mr. Sheffered Lino S. Tan, frozen fish is safe for consumption. He said that he wants to change the mindset of people that frozen fish, like the ones sold under the iOTG program, retains the quality of freshly caught fish while extending the lifespan of the product.

"We are so lucky and thankful to the PFDA and PFDA General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan for solving problems in the scarcity of fish in Sogod by providing inverter freezers and a freezer van through the iOTG program and by distributing relief goods like boxes of frozen fish, construction materials, and food packs to Typhoon Odette-affected families in our municipality," Mr. Tan expressed.

On January 26, the PFDA, through the PFDA - Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC), delivered three tons of frozen fish and three tons of construction materials in Sogod as part of the agency's relief efforts for the Typhoon Odette affected communities in Visayas and Mindanao. In addition, the PFDA Central Office and Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) also distributed 100 boxes of frozen fish and 500 relief boxes to typhoon-it families in several barangays in Sogod. Related story: PFDA distributes P10M-worth of assistance to Odette victims in Visayas, Mindanao

When the partnership kicks off, Sogod-LGU will serve as the iOTG depot where cooperatives can avail fishery products and sell them to their respective constituents.

Representatives from Sogod-LGU and some local cooperatives, staff from PFDA-DFPC, PFDA – Bulan Fish Port Complex (PFDA-BFPC) Officer-in-Charge Ms. Jacqueline B. Pauig, Ms. Erikah Hesarza of the Operations Services Department actively participated in the orientation.

(Mark Angelo N. Perez - Public Information Division with photos from Paul Vincent R. del Rosario and Miguel M. Pilarta - Public Information Division)

Published: 03 February 2022

As the agency's step to aiding Typhoon Odette victims, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), through its Regional Fish Ports (RFP), has conducted simultaneous distribution of relief goods and construction materials worth P10 million to over 7,250 typhoon-affected families in Sogod, Southern Leyte; Surigao City; Siargao Island; and Ubay, Bohol on January 26 to 28, 2022. 

Led by PFDA General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan and Assistant General Manager Ms. Iris R. de Vera, the agency has allocated P10 million from the PFDA corporate funds to assist various provinces in the southern portion of the country that have been severely affected by the strongest storm of 2021. 

Sogod, Southern Leyte

On January 26, the three-way team of PFDA Central Office, PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC), and PFDA – Bulan Fish Port Complex (PFDA-BFPC) arrived in Sogod, Southern Leyte where they distributed 500 relief storage boxes that each contain five kilograms of rice, canned goods, and hygiene kit to the several typhoon-affected barangays. In addition, the agency has also delivered 100 boxes of frozen fish that were received by the LGU of Sogod. The PFDA has also lent 10 freezers for the storage of these frozen goods. 

Subsequently, two 10-wheeler trucks filled with three tons of fishery products and three tons of construction materials from the PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC) arrived in Sogod to aid more Odette-stricken barangays from January 26 to January 27. 

According to the records of Sogod-LGU, they have 3,200 homeless families and 7,000 partially damaged households due to Typhoon Odette. 

Surigao City and Siargao Island

Meanwhile, the team composed of PFDA – General Santos Fish Port (PFDA-GSFPC) and PFDA-DFPC  delivered food packs and construction materials to more than 5,000 typhoon-affected families in Surigao City and Siargao Island. 

Typhoon Odette made its first landfall in the province of Surigao del Norte. Torrential rains, strong winds, and storm surges wreck havoc in the area which rendered many families homeless and in need of help. Immediately after, the typhoon made its landfall in Siargao Island which resulted in a very devastating aftermath in one of the country’s top tourist destinations. 

Being the closest Regional Fish Ports (RFP) to some of the target areas, they led the facilitation, coordination, and logistics of the relief operation in said provinces.  

Ubay, Bohol

On top of the P10-million relief fund, the PFDA-NFPC, led by Port Manager Luz P. Ortiz, has organized a donation drive to provide additional boxes of relief packages and rice packs for typhoon-stricken families in Sogod and Ubay. 

The PFDA-CO/NFPC/BFPC team crossed the ocean to visit the municipality of Ubay, Bohol. On January 27, they delivered 500 relief storage boxes and 500 packs of rice (5 kgs each) together with a truckload of construction materials like galvanized iron sheets (yero), umbrella nails, hammers, rolls of tie wire, cut saw, and canvasses to Odette victims in Ubay. 

Ubay, Bohol is a first-class municipality on its way to becoming a city when Typhoon Odette flattened them to the ground. Their primary source of livelihood, which is fisheries and agriculture, has been gravely affected by the typhoon. Fortunately, their municipality is continuously receiving donations from government agencies like the PFDA. 

"Nagpapasalamat po ako nang marami sa PFDA dahil nakarating sila dito sa aming barangay. Kahit na mahirap abutin ang aming barangay ay nakarating sila at nagbigay ng food packs. Ang hirap po talaga dito sa amin kaya maraming salamat po talaga sa inyong tulong," Ms. Ruth Oring of Brgy. Dagsa, Sogod expressed. 

"Ang mga yero (at iba pang construction materials) na bigay ng PFDA ay malaking tong po sa aming mga mahihirap. Ang bahay po namin ay nalugmok ng bagyo. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tumulong sa amin mula sa PFDA," Mr. Armando Udtohan of Purok 7, Poblacion, Ubay said. 

Donors who have extended their help in this relief effort through the PFDA-NFPC were PFDA Officials from the Central Office and RFPs and various NFPC clients and stakeholders. 

(PFDA - Public Information Division with reports and photos from PFDA Regional Fish Ports)

Published: 03 January 2022

Despite many challenges and threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and strong typhoons, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Central Office (CO) and six Regional Fish Ports (RFP) have successfully retained their ISO 9001:2015 certification for meeting international standards on Quality Management System. 

The PFDA CO and RFPs, namely the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), Davao Fish Port Complex (DFPC), General Santos Fish Port Complex (GSFPC), Iloilo Fish Port Complex (IFPC), Lucena Fish Port Complex (LFPC), and Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (ZFPC), have once again secured ISO 9001:2015 recertification after passing their respective annual surveillance audit.

The PFDA-NFPC was the first to pass its recertification on November 15, followed by the PFDA-IFPC on December 18. Both fish ports had their surveillance audited under the SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc., a recognized management systems solution provider.

Meanwhile, Christmas came early for the PFDA-CO and PFDA-ZFPC after receiving their ISO recertifications under the TUV Rheinland, another established ISO certifying body, on December 20. 

Subsequently, the PFDA-DFPC, PFDA-LFPC, and PFDA-GSFPC have all ended the year merrily after securing ISO 9001 recertification on December 23, 28, and 29, respectively. Their ISO certificates were also issued by the SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc.

The QMS for the PFDA Central Office involves Public Administration covering Project Management while the QMS for the six mentioned RFPs cover Market and Harbor Operation.

ISO 9001:2015 is an internationally recognized standard for quality management. This certification is proof that organizations consistently provide quality services and high-end products that meet customer demands and requirements and enhance client satisfaction. 

Adhering to the ISO standards is also part of the national government's quality management program. This annual audit is required under the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GCG) as one of its indicators under the performance evaluation system.

Neither the COVID-19 pandemic nor intense weather conditions can bring down the agency’s commitment to providing excellent project management service and quality harbor and market operations services to consistently attain the highest customer satisfaction. 

In the many years to come, the PFDA and its RFPs are committed to continually improving the effectiveness of its QMS in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001 standards. 

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with reports and photos from PFDA Central Office and RFPs)