Exclusive stalls, product tag for Dagupan bangus mulled
THE Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) is considering several protectionist policies to boost the Dagupan bangus industry which has been suffering from the entry of increasing supply of bangus sourced from other areas resulting in lower prices.
One planned ordinance is limiting the entry of bangus into the Dagupan fish market from other towns in Pangasinan and other provinces such as Laguna and Bulacan.
Another proposal seeks to set up special stalls exclusively for Dagupan bangus.
The city council will also study the proposal to issue “certificates of origin” for Dagupan bangus.
Vice-Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the SP, said bangus from Dagupan, positioned as the “Bangus Capital of the World”, should fetch a higher price in the market because of its known distinct taste.
“We have to protect our Dagupan bangus from predatory pricing, otherwise producers will forgo seeding their fishponds and let these go idle in the next production season,” said Fernandez in an interview.
Councilor Redford Erfe Mejia pointed out that some unscrupulous traders are also riding on the popularity of the Dagupan bangus.
CONSIGNACION
In a dialogue with wholesale milkfish dealers (consignacion) last September 21, the SP members sought their support and recommendations on how to protect and promote the city’s bangus.
The consignacions pledged to back the Dagupan bangus and agreed to impose new restrictions on supply coming in from western Pangasinan towns.
The wholesale price of bangus from Dagupan has remained at between P60 to P70 per kilo, similar to milkfish from other areas, down by 30% from it previous level of P80 to P85.
The Dagupan bangus also suffered from poor sales in the middle of this year following a fishkill in Anda and Bolinao that prompted consumers to refrain from buying bangus regardless of its source.
Under the planned ordinance, bangus from other areas will only be given two days a week to enter the Dagupan market.
Councilor Alvin Coquia, chair of the SP committee on agriculture, said the SP may also adopt an ordinance requiring bangus shippers to produce a certificate of origin duly issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ensure that these are not mistaken for Dagupan’s.
Penalties will also be imposed against those caught selling bangus from other areas as a product of Dagupan.
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