DAGUPAN CITY—The plan of the Dagupan City government to promote Dagupan Bangus in both domestic and international markets gets a much needed boost from the national government.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released P800,000 to support Dagupan’s Best Products P-Trace (Philippine Traceability for Revitalized Competitiveness Enhancement) project to help Dagupan bangus producers become competitive.

The fund will be used for the development of standard labels for the city’s milkfish products, streamlining of processes for accreditation compliant with the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Product Standards and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.

Besides protecting consumers, the P-Trace will also increase opportunities for employment.

Mayor Belen Fernandez received the P800,000 from DTI Regional Director Florante Leal along with DTI Provincial Director Peter O. Mangabat on June 23.

Another P2.8 million is expected to be released soon to help develop the city’s seafood industry especially its Dagupan bangus and the other value-added products.

The amount was sourced  from the Grassroot Participatory Budgeting Program under DTI and will fund the creation and organization of a technical working Group (TWG) and a management committee. It will also bankroll information campaigns and consultations with prospective clients.

The DTI program will conduct fish farm and residu monitoring and evaluation for registration, preparation of food processing plant database, accreditation process for Proudly Dagupan’s Best Products for all food products, product clinics and regular capacity development and upgrading, and the promotions and marketing of the accredited products.

Part of the amount will also be used for the purchase of shelves, freezer and chillers for the city’s Product Center which is now ready, and the acquisition of an equipment for making smoke bangus.

Meanwhile, Leal said that DTI is glad to partner with Fernandez who initiated a working relationship between the city government and DTI when she was still the vice-mayor.

“In fact, we are glad that Mayor Belen is really that passionate to promote the Dagupan bangus by hosting this year’s Rimat Ti Amianan on October 19 to 27. This will help us promote the culture of the different provinces in Region I in a cultural show to showcase the different local products of Region I in a trade fair show,” Leal said. (CIO/Joseph C. Bacani)

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