Dagupan will not just be known as the bangus capital of the world, but the Seafood Basket of the North as well.

This is the aim of the newly-organized Fisherfolk Entrepreneur Program of the city government which will initially provide livelihood opportunities and additional income for the marginalized fisherfolk.

In a meeting with the 35 pilot beneficiaries, all existing fish pen caretakers, at the City Museum, Mayor Benjamin Lim discussed the target of the city to become the Seafood Basket of the North in 2007 through the implementation of the program.

Dagupan City is now known as the Bangus Capital of the World. With this program, the city will truly be a Seafood Basket of the North by 2007,” said Lim as he dubbed the marginalized fisherfolk as new entrepreneurs and producers.

According to Lim, the identified beneficiaries will be organized to form a fisherfolk cooperative which the city government will support with capital for the business, monthly subsistence allowance, 3,000 pieces of high value fish fingerlings and supply of feeds from the start of the production up to the harvest of stocks. The funds will be sourced from the cooperative development fund (CDF).

Lim added that the city government will also provide the beneficiaries P1,000 worth of grocery items to augment their subsistence.

“The implementation of the program is seen to increase fish production and generate additional income for the poor fisherfolk in the city,” said Lim as he expressed optimism for the success of the program in one or two years.

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