BULACAN BANGUS WINS

AFTER six public hearings, the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) eventually passed the ordinance that seeks to protect the Dagupan bangus industry by regulating the sale of bangus sourced from outside the geographic boundaries of the city, and providing market schedule and penalties for violation thereof.

Ordinance No. 21792019, ironically titled “Ordinance To Protect the Dagupan Bangus Inudstry and Enhance consumer Information by Regulating the Local Sale of Bangus Sourced from Outside the Geographic Boundaries of the City of Dagupan, Providing Market Schedule and Penalties for Violation Thereof,” authored by Councilors Marcelino Fernandez and  Jose Netu Tamayo resulted in the opposite direction. In a surprise turnaround, the ordinance allows the entry of 300 banyeras (plastic round vat) on Mondays and 300 banyeras on Fridays of the so-called “extralocal” bangus (originating from Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna) instead of only 200 “banyeras” each day for two days ( already agreed upon by consignacion members and local bangus growers three days before the regular session.

The increased volume of “extra-local” bangus that would enter Dagupan was prompted by a last-minute lobbying of suppliers/dealers of Bulacan bangus led by Danila Cayabyab.   

The SP allowed the entry of bangus from Bulacan, Rizal, and Laguna, notwithstanding the claim of Dagupan bangus growers led by Lilia Yasar that the entry of bangus from these provinces, which are inferior in quality, will soon spell the death of the local bangus industry.       

The word “extralocal” bangus was adopted instead of “imported bangus” used in the original draft after Majority Floor leader Michael Fernandez objected.

The ordinance classified accredited bangus dealers into four: Grade A for Dagupan bangus; Grade B, for Pangasinan bangus; Grade C, for Northwestern (Zambales, and Sto. Tomas and Agoo, La Union bangus), and Grade D, for “extralocal” bangus.

Grades “B”, “C” and “D” suppliers will be required to present auxiliary invoice issued by the appointed authority from the points of origin, but Grades “C” and “D” suppliers will also be required to present Local Transport Permits issued by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional offices. Moreover, Grade D suppliers will be required to show classification mark on their deliveries.

Accredited suppliers will be prohibited to buy, sell, or possess bangus, other than those stipulated in their Accreditation Grade Certificates.

The ordinance prohibits bangus transporters from transporting “extralocal” bangus outside the days specified and will also be held liable for falsified, fictitious, or tampered transport permits and/or auxiliary invoices.

A group of “extralocal” bangus had written the SP threatening to take legal action if it pushes through with the ordinance limiting their access to Dagupan City which they claim violates their rights under the free trade but City Legal Officer Terrence Marata said it is within the SP’s prerogative to pass the measure. (Leonardo Micua)     

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