Business Proposition
Welcome home Bonuan bangus
By Roberto Garcia
A LONG time ago, bangus grown in Dagupan were unloaded in Dawel where the Silverio’s Restaurant now stands. Buyers then from all over Luzon flocked to this area where they know the famous Bonuan bangus can be had.
Now everything is done in Magsaysay Market where fish from Pangasinan and other bangus-producers in Northern Luzon and elsewhere — there are reports that even from as far as Navotas and Laguna — are mixed and sold at whatever is the prevailing price. Whatever happened to Bonuan bangus as a prime commodity to be bought at a premium price?
There were talks some months ago about making a distinction and bring back the higher selling price of bangus grown in Dagupan, specifically during the fish kill period. But while certain policies were implemented to resolve the issues, apparently these were lost in the fast pace of business transactions and chaotic deliveries in the congested Magsaysay Market. Yes, this is another issue regarding the fish market, it being congested, chaotic, and dirty. Going to the market to sell or buy fish could sometimes be a nightmare with different vehicles, fish vendors, laborers, buyers and what-have-you converging on and blocking the streets and passageways. Similarly, unloading fish by boat is difficult because the market dock is full of people and boats of all sizes and purposes.
Is there a way out of all these?
I have a proposal: why don’t we put up a smaller but exclusive fish market for Dagupan-grown bangus, shrimp, oysters, and other minor fish products somewhere in Dawel where the city’s producers/suppliers can command a better price.
Why in Dawel? Well, because it has become an important crossroad (since the opening of the De Venecia Extension) in going to the city proper, Western Pangasinan, Ilocos Region, and to Manila and therefore highly accessible to a lot of prospective buyers from different areas. Another significant advantage is the proximity of the area (just beside) to the traditional bangus ponds from where fish can be delivered at their freshest state by boats that can easily traverse and dock in Dawel River, which is now free of fish pens and traps. The same is true for land transport which can easily bring fish to the proposed market because of good roads and light traffic. And, finally and equally important, is the fact that Dawel had been the traditional market site where Bonuan bangus was discovered by the world. This would be a sort of a fitting homecoming for a fish that was made famous by this place; like saying, welcome home bonuan bangus!
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