In compliance with the mandate of Data Privacy Act of 2012, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) thru its Corporate Planning and MIS Department (CPMISD) in coordination with Administrative Services Department (ASD) / Human Resources Division conducted a training on Privacy Impact Assessment and Development of Privacy Management Program and Manual on January 25 to 26, 2018 at the ICTS Director’s Conference Room, Department of Agriculture, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

     It was a proud moment for the PFDA when, out of 700 government agencies, the Authority was included in the 50 agencies whose 2016 GAD Accomplishment Reports and 2018 GAD Plans and Budgets were endorsed by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) last August 8, 2017. This inspired the GAD Champions from the PFDA Central Office and Regional Ports to aim higher during the PFDA GAD Planning & Budgeting Workshop and Capacity Building on Gender Analysis Tools conducted at DAP Conference Center, Tagaytay City, on December 4-8, 2017.

     The capacity building on the other hand enlightened the participants on how PFDA Post-Harvest Facilities could be evaluated using the GAD Tool Kit developed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) using the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) for Project Development, Implementation and Evaluation as guiding framework. The GAD Tool Kit will help facilitate gender responsiveness in developing and implementing infrastructure projects from planning, design, construction, and up to maintenance of the facilities. With the assistance of Engr. Virgilio H. Orallo, the resource speaker from the DPWH, the GAD champions and engineers were “genderized.” Aside from the lectures given by the speaker, hands-on assessment was made within the DAP vicinity and roadways. Further, Engr. Orallo advised the participants to propose infrastructure projects in the PFDA GAD Plans and Budget, which cost can be attributed as GAD expense using the GAD Tool Kit, now that they already know how to apply the guidelines.

The Seafood Expo Global is the world’s largest seafood trade fair which happens each year in Brussels, Belgium. The Expo features almost 2,000 exhibitors from all over the world. It is a once-a-year event where professional seafood buyers and suppliers from every corner of the globe meet and do business with each other. Closely covered by the Media, it is also an excellent way to promote one’s business in the fishing industry.

Together with Undersecretary Atty. Francisco Villano of the DA, the BFAR support team, and the Agricultural Attache of Belgium, PFDA GM Atty. Glen Pangapalan was enjoined to attend this year’s ingress of the Seafood Expo’s opening and was warmly welcomed by the higher commissions of Brussels. The group roamed and observed the different fish processing stalls represented by various European countries.

According to Atty. Pangapalan, the event provided a “great opportunity to learn more about the different fish processing technologies from all over the world, and meet people who thrive in the same industry.” (Thea Lacson)

For the past few years, the facilities in Sual Fish Port (SFP) have been barely used by fish traders; the main activities in the port used to be transshipment and unloading. This is the reason why, in order to maximize the facilities within the port, they have been leased to private individuals or companies instead.

In March 2015, however, things began to change. It started when UNICREST Philippines, Inc., originally based in General Santos under the company name Gladery Fishing, extended its deep-sea fishing operations in North Luzon and established its base in Sual. Gradually, fish traders started coming in and began conducting business in the port’s piers because, unfortunately, the existing market hall was leased to a private company.

This surprising turn of events encouraged the PFDA to construct a new Market Hall to be used by the public in order to formalize and promote the trading activities in SFP. This new facility of the port, which is about 210sqm wide, is expected to be completed by the end of July 2017.

Also included in the construction project is the completion of the road network from the gate to the pier. About two-thirds of the road, or 71 linear meters, was completed in April 2016. However, due to budget restrictions, the remaining one-third was left undone. This will be finished at the same time as the Market Hall. (Thea Lacson)

PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex is adding a Fish Retailers’ Market (FRM) to its present fishery post-harvest facilities. This is in answer to the insistent request of its existing and prospective port clientele with limited capital to engage in fish retailing inside the fish port.

At present, PFDA-LFPC has been catering to medium to big fish brokers occupying the 31 bays in its market hall. Some of these fish brokers are also commercial fishing vessel operators. With the completion of the FRM, around 78 fish retailers will be benefited.

The facility will have a roof deck and will also house the office of the Harbor and Market Operations Division. It will provide, at the same time, stalls for rent to ambulant fish vendors as well as those retailing food and agricultural products.

The construction is 60.15% completed as of April, 2017 and estimated to be finished by end of this year. (Betty Uy with reports from Diego Plata)

International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines is the country’s biggest international trade exhibition, promoting all kinds of food offered by the Philippines and other countries. It showcases ethnic and specialty food, tropical fruits, vegetables, seafood, beverages, bakery and confectionery products, meat and poultry, as well as natural, organic, and healthy food products.

Since its establishment originally as the Asian Ethnic Food Festival from 1999 to 2003, IFEX Philippines has provided a business-to-business platform from local and international food companies to discover new markets, launch new products, and transact with the world’s biggest buyers and investors.

The latest IFEX Philippines event was held from 19^th to 21^st of May at the World Trade Center, Metro Manila. It was organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Agriculture.