PROGRESSIVE methods of fish farming are the key to the viability of the modern Korea-Philippines Seafood Processing Plant in Dagupan City.

This was stressed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the inauguration of the plant last November 29 after a successful three-day test-run operations.

Also present at the opening ceremonies were Korean Embassy Minister Yong Ho Kim, 4th District Rep. Gina de Venecia, her husband former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., and Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez.

Mayor Benjamin Lim, who was to deliver the welcome remarks, skipped the inauguration. The project at its initial stage became a source of disagreement and eventually the breakup of the political alliances between him and then Speaker De Venecia.

Alcala told the fishing communities in Dagupan and Pangasinan to begin shifting from their traditional methods to more tested progressive methods of fish farming to ensure that the plant will have a steady supply of raw materials.

He said the plant, which will be initially operated using funds from the Department of Agriculture, needs to operate on at least 75 percent capacity to be sustainable.

Among those who attended the inauguration are traditional fish farmers from Dagupan, Western Pangasinan as well as the neighboring province of La Union.

The agriculture secretary encouraged farmers to closely coordinate with the seafood plant’s management in scheduling harvests to help ensure both their viability through a year-round supply.

Alcala expressed confidence that the high-tech seafood processing plant will not only provide jobs and shore up family incomes but will surely put Dagupan in the map as one of the biggest suppliers of processed fish in Asia and the Pacific.

SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP

Meanwhile, Minister Yong said the project, put up by a U.S 2 million dollars  (approximately P100 million) grant from his government through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is a symbol of the Korean government’s  “undying love and friendship with the Filipino which have grown over the years.”

Moreover, Yong said donating the facility is a way for the Korean people to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the Filipinos who helped in defending their freedom and democracy during the Korean War.

For his part, former Speaker de Venecia, who negotiated for the financial grant with the Korean government through his then counterpart in the Korean parliament, thanked the South Korean officials for fulfilling their commitment to help the Filipinos in their battle against poverty despite the ongoing tension between the North and South Koreas.

At the same time, he asked the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to build a mini-port as one of the ancillary facilities of the processing plant where fish producers from western Pangasinan and La Union can conveniently land their fish catch for delivery to the plant for processing.

On the other hand, Rep. De Venecia expressed satisfaction knowing that the fish processing plant will directly benefit at least 100 families through their employment at the plant and some 1,000 fishpond owners for more income.

Vice Mayor Fernandez said she is happy that the processing plant is finally operating to begin regularly supplying the world market with the famous Dagupan bangus.

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