P3-M fish landing center inaugurated in Sto. Tomas

FISHERFOLK from Sto. Tomas town now have a facility for their post-harvest activities as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Central Luzon and local government here inaugurated Pampanga’s eight community fish landing center on Thursday.

The infrastructure project, constructed in more than a hectare lot in Barangay Poblacion here, was established through the P3-million funding made by BFAR-Central Luzon in an aim to boost the production of aquaculture products here, said BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz.

He said that the fish landing center is expected to address production losses since it will serve as an economic and social hub that will cater to the product preservation and marketing activities of dozens of fishermen in this municipality.

Citing one of the surveys conducted by BFAR, Cruz said that at least 40 percent of production losses of fishermen are experienced during post-harvest due to lack of proper facility in marketing their products.

“This fish landing center will serve as a trading site where they can sell their catch directly. It will also serve as a venue for trainings and seminars like tinapa making to improve their marketing strategies,” he said.

Cruz said that the facility will be initially managed by the local government but must soon be turned over to a recognized group of fisherfolk.

Mayor Johnny Sambo said that the infrastructure will kick off the sequential rise of commercial buildings and marketing facilities such as banks and an ice plant.

“We will call this a fishery complex where all programs and projects related to agriculture will be conducted. And since it is located in the poblacion area, we expect a lot of developments to happen,” he said.

Sambo also assured fishermen that their area of livelihood will be secured and safe and will become one of the centers of fish trading not only in Pampanga, but in the whole of the country.

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