BFAR opposes Seafood Plant privatization
AFTER MC ADORE, BSL TRIES ANOTHER
ANOTHER attempt by Mayor Benjamin Lim to revive his proposed privatization of the Seafood Processing Plant in Dagupan was shot down by Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC).
Rosario, appointed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as interim manager of the facility, said privatizing the plant built from a P100-million grant from the Korean government will defeat the purpose for its construction, which is for service to the aquaculture sector and research.
Rosario said the facility should be in left in the hands of the BFAR so it can be used for the benefit of the local fishery sector.
“While in BFAR hands, the plant will serve even the smallest member of the fishery sector,” Rosario said.
Lim is bent on taking over the plant and have this privatized, a plan being opposed by Vice Mayor Fernandez and Rosario.
Talks were recently held between BFAR National Director Asis Perez and Lim, in the presence of Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, and also attended by Rosario.
“We are serving the fishery sector and enhancing its capacity to export fish to other countries and are also conducting research on how products can be preserved better to retain their quality when they reach foreign shores,” Rosario said.
RUNNING WELL
Rosario reported that the facility has been operating well since it reopened in the third quarter last year.
He said the plant is now regularly servicing five companies that are exporting fish products to the United States and other countries.
The main product being processed at the plant is bangus and “siganid” or malaga.
With its clientele, the plant is providing jobs to residents of sitio Korea, Bonuan Binloc who were trained by NIFTDC, a research arm of BFAR, and certified as fish processors.
The plant has also developed prawns or “sugpo” for export, which is now in great demand in South Korea and other countries. Rosario stressed that BFAR is the agency that can best operate the plant with its technology.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
