Published: 23 July 2020

IsDA ON THE GO at AFP. The PFDA's isDA ON THE GO recently joined the DA's KADIWA ni Ani at Kita launching at the AFP Headquarters, July 11, 2020 (Photo 1). From Left to Right- DA William D. Dar, Asst. Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Y. Evangelista, Undersecretary for Fisheries and National Director of BFAR Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona, and PCA Administrator Retired Gen.Benjamin Rasgo Madrigal Jr. (Photo 2)

 In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority’s (PFDA) – isDA ON THE GO now supplies high quality and affordable fish and fishery products at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) national headquarters in Quezon City.

The “KADIWA at AFP” was recently launched at the Soldiers’ Mall in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo last July 11, 2020.

The event was led by DA Secretary William Dar and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Antonio Ramon Lim.

Members of the PFDA Corporate Social Responsibility Unit also joined the event.

According to DA reports, the collaboration project will be also introduced to other AFP camps to help local producers, suppliers and AFP communities across the country amid the pandemic.

Further, the “KADIWA at AFP” will be available twice a month and details of the future events will be promoted through AFP outdoor billboards along EDSA.

The isDA ON THE GO at the “KADIWA at AFP” is now part of the more than 40 locations and outlets of the project around Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Luzon. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA – CSR and DA-AFID)

Published: 22 July 2020

Reaching out amid pandemic. PFDA-GSFPC supported and organized participants for the USAID  SURGE virtual conference, particularly the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity or the W-GDP Initiative, July 9, 2020.

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC) recently participated in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) - Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) program, particularly its Women’s Global Development and Prosperity or the W-GDP Initiative, July 9, 2020.

In collaboration with the General Santos City Local Government Unit (LGU) and the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc.  (SFFAII),  USAID-SURGE  and PFDA-GSFPC organized a virtual conference for the “Government Financing Programs for the Agri-Fishery Sector” via Zoom.

The program aims to build capacities of women entrepreneurs by supporting local economic recovery efforts in secondary cities through partnerships with LGU and private sector group. 

Under its ongoing work, USAID, with the help LGUs and relevant agencies like PFDA-GSFPC, is reaching out and helping women entrepreneurs and other small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access vital technical assistance and other resources needed to reboot their businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help reach out the agri-fishery sector, PFDA-GSFPC was also tapped to encourage participants from its clients to maximize this opportunity for learning and open avenues for the agri-fishery entrepreneurs particularly women clients and stakeholders.

Due to the existing restrictions particularly on social distancing, PFDA-GSFPC accommodated 10 participants from Markets 1,2 & 3 clients and a processor, composed of 6 women and 4 men participants.

To accommodate more participants while observing COVID-19 prevention and health measures, next batch of clients and participants will be organized in future virtual sessions. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA-GSFPC Office of the Port Manager and Administrative Services Division)

Published: 20 July 2020

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) assured all its port clients of drug-free business locations in all its Regional Fish Port (RFPs).

Recently, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assisted three PFDA RFPs --- Iloilo Fish Port Complex (IFPC), General Santos Fish Ports (GSFPC) and Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), through series of meetings and inspections related to anti-drug campaigns.

The PDEA – Region VI, in coordination with the Philippine National Police Maritime Command (MARICOM), and Philippine Coast Guard, conducted a joint inspection in IFPC last July 7, 2020.

Drug-free RFPs. PDEA – Region VI conducted random-check in various vehicles like this fish truck entering the IFPC premises, July 7, 2020

Meanwhile, PDEA – Region XII Drug Interdiction Unit also led an inspection in GSFPC with the assistance of the Office of the Port Manager - Port Security Unit last July 8, 2020.

Drug-free RFPs.PDEA – Region XII with its K9 unit inspected personal belongings like bags of port clients entering the GSFPC, July 8, 2020.

Meanwhile, the NFPC management held a meeting with the PDEA – National Capital Region, led by Assistant Regional Director Irvin Coderis, last July 17, 2020. 

NFPC Port Manager Luz Ortiz, Acting Assistant Port Manager Arfilo Catipay, and NFPC-Police and Security Division Officer-in-Charge Nasil Abdul attended the meeting.

Drug-free RFPs.PDEA-NCR and NFPC management held a meeting last July 17, 2020 to discuss various guidelines to maintain a drug-free zone.

All these activities further highlight the efforts of the PFDA and all the RFPs to maintain peace and order in all the operating units and emphasize the implementation of stricter port regulations in the fight against illegal drugs with the help of relevant agencies like the PDEA, PNP, and Philippine Coast Gaurd. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from IFPC, GSFPC and NFPC)

Published: 17 July 2020

Galunggong Management. PFDA-NFPC participates in an online meeting with BFAR TWG and support group members to discuss the fishery management of round scad (galunggong) in Palawan last June 18.

 The PFDA - Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) participated in an online meeting with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Technical Working Group (TWG) and support group members to discuss the fishery management of round scad (galunggong) in Palawan, June 18, 2020.

Ms. Luz P. Ortiz, NFPC Port Manager, and Ms. Yolanda M. Belnas, Fishery Market Operations Supervisor I attended the event.

BFAR-MIMAROPA Regional Director and TWG Chairman, Mr. Elizer S. Salilig, MFT led the said virtual meeting. 

The online meeting conducted by the BFAR TWG aimed to give updates on the research study titled “Gonadal Maturity Determination of Decapterus spp. in selected areas in MIMAROPA Region.”

The preparation of the 2021 Work and Financial Plan of the TWG on Round Scad Fishery Management in Palawan was also discussed in the meeting.

Among the agencies and organizations who had their respective representatives were the following: BFAR, NSAP, PSA, PFDA-NFPC, NFRDI, DSWD, DA, DOLE, DILG-LGU, IDSFA-Medium Scale Commercial Sector, PNP Maritime Group, PFO, PAO and WWF Palawan. It was also attended by representatives from DA-attached agencies. 

The BFAR - MIMAROPA Regional Field Office presented its future plans which include the conduct of on-board observation during and after closed fishing season, a closed fishing season send-off ceremony, and the provision of livelihood assistance to affected fishermen during closed fishing season.

The closed fishing season for round scad aims to protect the galunggong species during its peak spawning season which is from November to January. 

It also aims to secure a long-term increased supply of the said species. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA-NFPC and DA-BFAR)

Published: 14 July 2020

Maintaining safe workplace. PFDA-IFPC (left) and PFDA-ZFPC conducted orientations for their respective port clients to remind everyone on the importance of food safety and COVID-19 prevention measures.

Even before the pandemic and implementation of community quarantine across various regions in the Philippines, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority has been really keen in its implementation of various health and safety standards in all its Regional Fish Ports (RFPs).

Among these are the regular monitoring and port client orientations on Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (GMP-SSOP) and health protocols on COVID-19 prevention measures.

The PFDA-Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (ZFPC) Food Safety and Environmental Management Unit (FSEMU) conducted series of orientations for its port clients highlighting the importance of proper hygiene, solid waste disposal and safety protocols in handling fish and seafood unloaded at the fish market halls, July 10, 2020.

Meanwhile, the PFDA-Iloilo Fish Port Complex (IFPC) conducted meeting with group of fish traders and vendors to provide update and reminders on COVID-19 prevention practices, June 23, 2020.

Apart from compliance to basic food safety protocols like wearing of gloves, boots, proper attire, non-smoking and spitting, all RFPs are also continuously implementing COVID-19 prevention protocols such as wearing of face masks at all times within port premises, temperature monitoring for those entering the port, proper hand washing, using of foot bath at designated areas and regular disinfection activities.

Aside from the lead monitoring team from the Quality Assurance Division under the Operations Department (QAD-OSD), all RFPs are directed to create and maintain their respective FSEMU to conduct regular activities and implement food and health safety standards. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA-IFPC; and PFDA –ZFPC and  FSEMU)

Published: 10 July 2020

Suistainable fishing. Handline-caught tuna unloaded at the DFPC. The event was attended by Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, PFDA General Manager (2nd from right), Mr. Domingo O. Ang, Davao Marina Tuna Ventures, Inc CEO (1st from right), and Mr. Albert P. Aguinaldo, DFPC Port Manager (3rd from left).

In line with continuous efforts of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority to contribute to more sustainable fishing practices, the PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex recently welcomed the first tuna unloading using handline fishing technique, July 8, 2020.

Tuna handline fishing is done using smaller and traditional fishing boats. Fishers also use single hooks that catch tuna individually.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), tuna handline fishing creates less impact on the marine environment since it is done through a highly selective method of targeting and catching large and mature tuna which already produced eggs.

Similar to most fish species, egg production depends on age and size of the fish. A 5 year-old female fish can produce an average of five million eggs per year, while those aged 15-20 years old can produce up to 45 million eggs.

Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, PFDA General Manager and Mr. Albert P. Aguinaldo, DFPC Port Manager, attended the unloading activity.

Aside from the PFDA officers, the activity was also joined by Mr. Domingo O. Ang, Davao Marina Tuna Ventures, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, along with the prospect clients like processors, institutional buyers and exporters.

Unloaded tuna weighs an average of 35 kilograms each and classified as processing grade and sashimi grade. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA-DFPC)