Published: 24 August 2020

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) recently celebrated its 44^th Anniversary with this year’s theme “Padayon PFDA: Fostering Fishers in Changing Time”, August 11.

With the limitations brought by the pandemic and due to the strict implementation of health protocols particularly the observation of physical distancing, the PFDA held the first ever anniversary virtual program streamed live via PFDA official Facebook page, August 24.

During the program, Engr. Danilo Axalan, Technical Services Department Manager, provided updates on the status of the flagship projects for the rehabilitation of various PFDA-managed fish ports such as IFPC, LFPC, DFPC, NFPC, CFP, SFP and ZFPC.

Various PFDA programs were also highlighted such as the isDA ON THE GO, the PFDA's banner Corporate Social Responsibility Program, and RFPs initiatives on the prevention of COVID-19 disease like the regular disinfection activities of the Regional Fish Ports.

The ISO 9001:2015 certificate was also awarded to the PFDA – Central Office and Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (ZFPC) during the virtual program through a video presentation by Mr. Tristan Arwen Loveres, Managing Director - TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc.

To date, 5 PFDA RFPs are now ISO 9001: 2015 certified including Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), General Santos Fish Port Complex (GSFPC), Davao Fish Port Complex (DFPC), Lucena Fish Port Complex (LFPC), and Iloilo Fish Port Complex (IFPC) which received their certifications in 2018.

The PFDA also extended appreciations to all the frontliners in the medical field, service industry workers and all PFDA personnel for their contributions and services during the pandemic.

The month-long anniversary activities also included the launching of the newest in-house online program called PFDA Bulletin.

The virtual program also featured presentation on Service Loyalty Awardees.

 Various officials also delivered their anniversary messages such as Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.

Lastly, representatives from all Regional Fish Ports participated in the offering of a Solidary Prayer as part of the call of the PFDA for unity and cooperation amid the pandemic.

Published: 20 August 2020

Maintaining Connections. The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) is continuously connecting with various local government units and organizations to promote the development of the fishing industry through the provision of post-harvest infrastructure facilities and essential services.

 The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) is continuously connecting with various local government units and organizations to promote the development of the fishing industry through the provision of post-harvest infrastructure facilities and essential services.

Recently, the PFDA participated in a forum with the city government of Bislig, Surigao del Sur, to discuss the proposed city fish port project and other relevant fishery post-harvest facilities, August 18, 2020.

The PFDA team is led by Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, General Manager, and Engr. Miguel B. Lamberte, Jr., Assistant General Manager, along with Atty. Jose Ruiz III, OIC Legal Division/Office of the Board Secretary, and Engr. Eduardo Manalo, Chief CMD-TSD.

City Mayor Florencio C. Garay, Vice Mayor Jonas A. Cacayan, and City Councilors Engar Convena, Edmond Estrella, and Geofry Cagakit represented the City Government of Bislig.

Surigao del Sur Board Member Atty. Conrad C. Cejoco also graced the event.

Aside from the city government officials, the forum is also participated by the members of various stakeholders’ groups such as the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) of Bislig and Mangagoy Fishermen Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MAFISCO).

According to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, CFARMC serves an integral role in ensuring an inclusive development of the fishery sector in specific localities like Bislig City. 

Composed of fisherfolk organizations, cooperatives and non-government organizations in the locality, CFARMC assists the LGU in the preparation of the local Fishery Development Plan, recommends relevant municipal fishery ordinances to the City Council through its Committee on Fisheries, and assists in the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations in municipal waters.

Meanwhile, MAFISCO is an association assisted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in Bislig City. This is also the biggest SETUP funded project in the 2nd district of Surigao del Sur.

Members of the cooperative include fisherfolks, fishing boat operators, fish traders, market and ambulant vendors. 

The fishing grounds in Bislig Bay is strategically located near the Eastern Seaboard fishing grounds of the Philippine Sea. It is also part of the rich fishing grounds in Surigao del Sur, along with Carrascal Bay, Lanuza Bay, Lianga Bay, Hinatuan Bay, Bislig Bay and in the municipal waters of Cortez. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the Office of the General Manager and the Office of the Assistant General Manager)

Published: 30 July 2020

PFDA at Mindanao.  Led by Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, General Manager, and Mr. Miguel B. Lamberte, Jr., Assistant General Manager, the PFDA had a meeting with the Mati City LGU in Davao Oriental, July 28, 2020. The event was attended by the LGU officials led by Mayor Michelle Marie Denise N. Rabat with Councilor Anthony John Eric N. Rabat, and Mr.  Alan E. Andra, Executive Consultant.

After the first leg of meetings with private fishery companies and groups based in Mindanao, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Top Management recently met with various Local Government Units to further strengthen ties with local fishing communities in Southern Philippines.

Mati City, Davao Oriental

Led by Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, General Manager, and Mr. Miguel B. Lamberte, Jr., Assistant General Manager, the PFDA had a meeting with the Mati City LGU in Davao Oriental, July 28, 2020.

The event was attended by the LGU officials led by Mayor Michelle Marie Denise N. Rabat with Councilor Anthony John Eric N. Rabat, and Mr. Alan E. Andra, Executive Consultant.

During the meeting, PFDA and Mati City LGU discussed the proposed construction of Mati City Fish Port which may be included in the 2021 – 2022 budget of the agency.

The Province of Davao Oriental is known as the “Tuna Highway” in the Philippines which offers a vast potential for fishing and aquamarine activities.

PFDA at Mindanao.  The PFDA Top Management met Congressman Alan Dujali, 2nd District - Davao Del Norte Representative; Ms. Mary Ann Cheng, Chief of Operations, and Mr. Jericardo Mondragon, BFAR Center Chief to discuss the proposed expansion of the Panabo City Fish Port.

Panabo City, Davao del Sur

The PFDA team also visited the Panabo City Fish Port in Davao del Norte, July 29, 2020.

The Panabo City Fish Port was constructed by the PFDA under the Nationwide Fish Port Development in 2016.

The PFDA Top Management met Congressman Alan Dujali, 2nd District - Davao Del Norte Representative; Ms. Mary Ann Cheng, Chief of Operations, and Mr. Jericardo Mondragon, BFAR Center Chief.

The meeting covered the discussions on the proposed expansion of the Panabo City Fish Port to augment to growing fish trading and unloading activities in the locality.

The Panabo City is home to the Mariculture Park managed by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

The mariculture zone has an estimated daily unloading of 16.23MT of cultured fish species like moonfish, goatfish, swordtail, slipmouth and sardinella, milkfish and rabbit fish (danggit).

PFDA at Mindanao. The PFDA Top Management and Tagum City LGU discussed the proposed construction of modern fish market in the area. The meeting was attended by Mayor Allan L. Rellon, Arturo B. Manigo, Jr., City Planning and Development Coordinator, Mary Grace D. Terante, Department Head City Economic Enterprise Office, and Architect Louella May I. Apurada - Dumagdag, City Architect.

Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Lastly, the PFDA team also organized a meeting with the officials of Tagum City in Davao del Norte, July 29, 2020.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Allan L. Rellon, Arturo B. Manigo, Jr., City Planning and Development Coordinator, Mary Grace D. Terante, Department Head City Economic Enterprise Office, and Architect Louella May I. Apurada - Dumagdag, City Architect.

The PFDA Top Management and Tagum City LGU discussed the proposed construction of modern fish market in the area.

Tagum City is part of more than 1,600 hectare resources of brackish and freshwater aquaculture production area in Davao Del Norte, which the Panabo City is also included.

Fish cultivated on brackish water includes bangus, shrimps, crabs and other fish species. On the other hand, fishes like tilapia and catfish are commonly raised on inland fishponds. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the Office of the General Manager)

Published: 28 July 2020

Virtual Refresher. After acquiring its ISO 9001:2015 certification last year, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Quality Management System (QMS) Team ensures and continuously update all personnel on the latest information and tools pertinent to the system.

After acquiring its ISO 9001:2015 certification last year, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Quality Management System (QMS) Team ensures and continuously update all personnel on the latest information and tools pertinent to the system.

The PFDA QMS Documents and Records Control Team led by Mr. Thadeus A. Mariano, also the ITD-CPMISD Chief, recently conducted a virtual re-orientation covering Quality Procedure on Documented Information, July 23, 2020.

The activity was held via Google Meet to maintain proper social distancing and attended by PFDA Records Custodians and Administrative Officers.

The virtual meeting is also part of the preparation for the upcoming activities relevant to Internal Quality Audit and ISO surveillance audit.

According to ISO, documented information are sets of data that is required to be controlled and maintained by the organization and the medium on which it is covered. (Public Information Division with reports from ITD and QMS Team)

Published: 27 July 2020

Business as Usual. The PFDA - Technical Services Department (TSD) organized a virtual conference with the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) and TCGI Engineers to discuss updates on the Rehabilitation/ Improvement of NFPC-Phase 1 plans.

 Business as usual at the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) as the Technical Services Department (TSD) organized a virtual conference with the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) and TCGI Engineers to discuss updates on the Rehabilitation/ Improvement of NFPC-Phase 1 plans, June 23, 2020.

Led by Engr. Danilo A. Axalan, TSD Manager, the virtual meeting covered the presentation on the concept design for the said project, particularly the ship yard portion of the NFPC.

Aside from TSD, NFPC and TCGI, the meeting was also attended by the lessees currently doing business at the NFPC shipyard as part of the consultation process.

The Rehabilitation/ Improvement of NFPC is part of the Flagship Project under the current administration’s priority infrastructure projects.

(Public Information Division with reports from PFDA-TSD and NFPC)

Published: 25 July 2020

PFDA vs COVID-19. The PFDA-NFPC is implementing stricter measures and further intensifying its campaigns on COVID-19 prevention initiatives.

With the recent city-wide lockdown imposed by the Local Government of Navotas City, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) is implementing stricter measures and further intensifying its campaigns on COVID-19 prevention initiatives.

Last July 16, 2020, the Navotas City issued the Executive Order No. TMT-038, series of 2020, placing the entire city on a two-week lockdown from July 16 to July 29, 2020. 

PFDA vs COVID-19. the PFDA-NFPC organized a virtual meeting with the Navotas City LGU and various stakeholders.

As part of the compliance with the issued EO, the PFDA-NFPC led by Ms. Luz P. Ortiz, Port Manager, organized a virtual meeting with the Office of the City Mayor – Navotas City, Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group, and representatives from various port stakeholders’ associations to discuss the updates on the implementation of safety health protocols and pertinent precautionary measures relevant to the recent city-wide lock down, July 20, 2020.

The virtual meeting was attended by Navotas City Mayor Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco; PCol. Ricardo E. Villanueva – Chief, RMU-NCR; Mr. Roderic C. Santos- President, Association of Fresh Fish Traders of the Phils., Inc. (AFFTPI); Mr. Michael C. De Guzman-President, Market 2 Night time Fish Traders Association; and Dr. Mario Daniel Eduardo DG. Pascual- President, Mkt. 3,4,5 Navotas Fish Traders Association.

Aggressive campaigns and information dissemination activities are also implemented in PFDA-NFPC to remind all the personnel and stakeholders on the standard health protocols to arrest the spread of the COVID-19.

Recently, the port management conducted series of orientations in coordination with Philippine National Police (PNP)- Maritime Group (MG), Regional Maritime Unit-National Capital Region (RMU-NCR).

Regularly disinfection activities since the start of community quarantine back in March are also part of the COVID-19 prevention measures of the PFDA-NFPC. 

Specific schedules of the disinfection activities will be posted on the PFDA official Facebook pages.

PFDA vs. COVID-19. Orientation/briefing for PFDA- NFPC stakeholders on standard health protocols.

The PFDA-NFPC engaged various port stakeholders, as follows: AFFTPI; Market 2 Night time Fish Traders Association; Market 3-5 Fish Brokers Association; Inter-Island Deep Sea Fishing Association (ISDFA); Irma Fishing & Trading, Inc.; RBL Fishing Corp.; Kay-Anya Foods Corp.; Emmie-Jim Marine Products; Rubenel Fish Broker, Inc.; Concord Fishing & Canning Corp.; Clabel Fishing Enterprises; St. Joseph Fish Brokerage, Inc.; Manila Fish Dealer; Royale Fishing Corp.; Connie’s Fish Dealer; Jeamboy Fish Consignacion; Ate Dhey Consignacion; Boy & Neneng Fish Dealer; 5F Cold Storage; L.V. Fishing Enterprises.

Aside from the safety and health protocols under the issued EO, the stakeholders’ orientations also covered the penalties for violations under EO No. TMT-038.

According to the EO, businesses caught violating quarantine protocols shall pay a fine of P3,000 on their first offense, P4,000 fine with 15 days closure of business on their second offense, and a P5,000 fine with 30 days closure of business on their third offense. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA-NFPC).