Bago city: Bago City is positioning itself to become a fisheries hub in southern Negros Occidental with the opening of its PHP6-million community fish landing center (CFLC) funded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Located along the Bantayan Park in Barangay Poblacion, the week-old CFLC is being operated by SAJ Fish Brokerage owned by Jhoefer and Manuel Sanico, under a public-private partnership agreement with the city government.
According to Philippines News Agency, City Agriculturist Marvin John Blance stated that the CFLC is equipped with three fish stalls, two of which have been auctioned off, while the other is mainly intended for local fisherfolk associations. "They are paying rental fees to the city government as provided in a city ordinance," he added. SAJ Fish Brokerage operates daily from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. to serve fish vendors, retailers, restaurant owners, and seafood buyers.
The BFAR-Negros Island Region mentioned that as the operator within the Bago City CFLC, SAJ Fish Brokerage actively promotes quality, fresh, and safe fisheries products. "BFAR will continue providing vital technical assistance to local fish dealers and vendors to ensure strict food safety and proper fish handling," it added.
The establishment of the Bago City CFLC was funded through the calendar years 2015 and 2016 Bottom-Up Budgeting Program and was completed and turned over to the local government unit (LGU) in 2018 to bridge the gap between local fishing grounds and commercial markets. Transformed from a traditional beach-landing site into a standardized, centralized hub, the facility addresses critical post-harvest bottlenecks, equips municipal fisherfolk with hygienic spaces, and minimizes spoilage to ensure higher economic yields.
In a statement, Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao said the establishment of the Bago City CFLC reflects the city government's continuing investment in the fisheries sector and its recognition of fisherfolk as vital contributors to the local economy and food security. "This fish landing center is our commitment to you - that your sacrifices are seen, your work is valued, and your future matters," she added.
BFAR-NIR OIC Regional Director Rene Parre±o commended the Bago City LGU for pushing for the welfare of its fisherfolk by opening the CFLC. Parre±o said fisherfolk must be listed in the Boat and Gear Registration (BoatR), Fisherfolk Registration (FishR), and Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to operate legally and avail of government aid such as the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program.
Source: Philippine News Agency
