Monday, August 28, 2006
Maitum's semi-dried fish now a cottage industry
PRODUCTION of marinated flying fish is no longer a backyard livelihood of women in Maitum, Sarangani.
Recently, a non-government organization invested close to a million pesos to upgrade a fish processing facility in the town that virtually made marinating the once lowly baangsi (flying fish) a cottage industry.
Nenita Barroso, Department of Trade and Industry Sarangani director, said they expect the facility to generate millions of pesos in revenues.
The facility, which is being managed by the Old Poblacion Fish Processing Women's Association, produces half-dried marinated flying fish or bangsi.
"The product is primarily unique and different from common dried fish because it is half-dried marinated fish. The marinated flying fish has 100 percent no added artificial ingredients and preservatives. It is a best source of protein and Omega-3 from fish oil, and calcium," Barroso said.
At least 30 women processors have been benefiting from the facility before the center and the cooperative forged the agreement about two weeks ago.
Elizabeth Gil, Maitum information officer, said the half-dried bangsi has become a favorite take-home treat of visitors with its simple ingredients of salt, vinegar, brown sugar and pepper.
"Today, bangsi half-dried fish has become so popular that almost women in Old Poblacion produce it," she said.
Current production of the town is at 10 to 12 tons annually and retailed at P120 per kilo or roughly P1.5 million a year with the existing facility.
But when the upgraded facility, also designed to address product quality, becomes fully operational expected before the yearend, it could produce six to eight tons of half-dried, marinated bangsi per month, said Badette Undangan, enterprise development officer of the center.
Yearly, the upgraded facility is expected to earn P11.5 million to the women in the village.
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(August 28, 2006 issue)
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