Role of Seafood Processing Plant clarified
NOT A BUSINESS VENTURE
IT’S FOR research studies for the aquaculture industry development.
This, said Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia, is the original intent for the Dagupan Seafood Processing Plant as envisioned and proposed by her husband, then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who sought funding for the project from his counterpart from the South Korean Parliament.
Rep. De Venecia, speaking before Dagupan barangay officials who converged at her residence on Thursday, reiterated this point as the issue over the city-proposed change in the management of the plant remains unresolved.
“Malinaw na nakasaad sa proposal nila former Mayor (Al) Fernandez at Dr Rosario sa South Korean government, na ang plantang ito ay itatayo para patatagin ang fishing industry sa Dagupan, sa pamamagitan ng market research at pagtulong upang umunlad ang mga fishpond operators at mangingisda ng ating bayan,” De Venecia said.
To formalize the request for funding of the project, Speaker De Venecia asked then Dagupan Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr., and Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries Technology (NIFTDC), to submit an official proposal coursed through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Rep. De Venecia said she will never allow the project “to be used as business venture”, taking a dig on city officials who have hinted on the privatization of the facility.
At present, the seafood processing plant, which is owned by Dagupan City, is being managed by BFAR.
But Dagupan Mayor Benjamin Lim wants the management turned over to the city government.
The decision on the matter is pending before the office of the secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
PROTECTIVE SLOPE
Meanwhile, De Venecia announced that the repair of the damaged protective slope of the Cayanga River, which is a few meters from the seafood processing project, is about to start.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), whom she asked to fund the project, is now in the process of bidding out the work.
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