Dagupan bangus heroes

By Roberto Garcia

EVERY year we celebrate the bangus festival as a tribute to the bangus farming industry that made Dagupan City famous. There are many events programmed to spice up the festivity from the tinda’y labi to the street dancing competition to the finale bangus grill party.

But are we not forgetting something?

Many say the successful bangus growing industry in Dagupan was made possible by the interplay of environmental factors such as good water quality, rich bottom condition, abundant natural food for the fish and the suitable climate for culture. But that is not all. We must not forget that all these factors are skillfully managed and maintained by the local workers from the pond owner, caretaker, to the laborer.

They are the ones who have been persisting through the months and years – surviving the sun’s heat, the cold nights, the floods and typhoons –to produce the best tasting bangus in the world. These warm bodies have done it all and yet proper recognition of their painstaking efforts seems to be lacking.

Yes, the bangus festival should be the day when these people are recognized through awards (cash or in kind) or certificates of recognition. Perhaps the awards could be differentiated into categories for personalities and achievement such as: the best fishfarmer/caretaker; the most successful fishpond operator; the oldest or youngest fishfarmer; the most efficient fishpond in terms of production; the most technologically advanced fishpond operation; the greenest fishpond operation; and perhaps posthumous tribute to those who contributed significantly to the development of the industry. The list of possible awards for recognition is endless.

In addition to the awards, other activities could include a fluvial parade or sightseeing tours along the riverine channels where the fishponds are located and where visitors can observe the actual operation of growing bangus. This would also be a good opportunity to distribute give-away items to pond owners and caretakers stationed along the route, tokens such as t-shirts, caps, or food would surely be much appreciated. Prizes or souvenir items can be donated by sponsors, notably fish feed dealers and manufacturers (who profit most no matter what), liquor and cigarette companies (whose products are highly patronized by the pond workers), fish brokers (who gets a good percentage of the fish sales), and the local authorities as their way of giving back for the economic benefits they received from the fishpond industry. Moreover, the inclusion of competitions or games where the pond workers can show off their prowess and skill could be a positive distraction from the rigorous pond operation.

The new year has just started and perhaps it is too early to talk about the bangus festival which starts in April, but I am putting these suggestions forward now as this will give time to the organizers of the festival to consider and to finally recognize these unsung heroes of the industry.

Kudos to these people!

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