THE strict measures implemented by the City of Dagupan preventing rotting fish from Western Pangasinan from entering the Magsaysay Fish Market, succeeded in stabilizing the normal price level of the Dagupan bangus from P100 to P120 per kilo, and rising.

Some 800 kilos of rotting milkfish from Anda were seized in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City despite claims by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources last June 7 that only an isolated fish mortality happened in Anda town and not a fishkill.

Deputized fish wardens of the City Agriculture Office seized the rotting milkfish near the Tanap Bridge last June 6 before the shipment reach the Magsaysay Fish Market.

Mayor Belen Fernandez said personnel of the City Agriculture Office and the Dagupan police accosted the helpers of the cargo truck that brought the rotting milkfish to Dagupan.

The cargo of rotting milkfish was declared not fit for human consumption and was disposed of by the city’s Waste Management Division to the dump site in Bonuan.

The owner of the shipment and other persons were charged for violating Presidential Decree No. 856, City Ordinance No. 1917-2009 and City Ordinance No. 1768-200.

The CAO required cargo trucks bringing in fish to Dagupan to present auxiliary invoices and permits from its place of origin and without these, they will not be allowed to enter Dagupan City.

Fernandez was still in Indonesia when the rotting fish was intercepted and directed City Legal Officer Aurora Valle to place the City Agriculture Office, City Market Office, City Health Office and the Dagupan Police  on alert 24/7.

She told the recent 4th District Enhanced Managing Police Operations forum at the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office in Lingayen that June 6, the Dagupan City Police headed by P/Colonel Brendon Palisoc set up a checkpoint in Lucao to intercept all trucks bringing in fish to Dagupan for sale in the Magsaysay Fish Market.

City Health Officer Ophelia Rivera warned that consumption of rotten fish can result in itchiness in the body and possibly food poisoning that can cause death.

The mayor said that as a result of all these measures that prevented the entry of fish that died from the fishkill, the price of milkfish at the Dagupan City fish market remained from P100 to P120 per kilo and is still soaring.

During the isolated fish mortality in Anda, milkfish was selling at P10 to 20 per kilo. (Leonardo Micua)

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