Davao Oriental – Mati City, Davao Oriental, a province whose peninsular land mass has the longest coastline of 589-kilometers, wants to be a Fisheries Powerhouse over the next 5 years.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang made the first move yesterday as he convened the first-ever
Davao Oriental Fisheries and Aquaculture Summit in the provincial capital of Mati.
The event, attended by officials from areas outside of the province like Bislig City of Surigao del Sur, was supported by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
Representatives from different government agencies, the academe, the military, Coast Guard, the PNP, fisherfolk and the private sector attended the Summit.
Davao Oriental has been identified by MinDA as a key player in the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Program (MINFAD) which aims to double Mindanao’s Fisheries and Aquaculture production from the current 2.1-million metric tons annual output.
The MINFAD aims to upgrade the production and post-harvest facilities of at least 22 rich fishing grounds of Mindanao, including the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The 22 Fish Centers will be inter-connected by a digital platform to be initially managed by MinDA which would determine the volume of catch daily and the species of fish landed.
Through the digital platform each Fish Center will be virtually connected to the market.
MINFAD is one of the key programs endorsed by MinDA for inclusion in the Mindanao Rise Program which is funded with a ₱ 2.1-B Grant by the European Union.
For Davao Oriental, the participants yesterday submitted the need for Bangus and Vannamei hatcheries and the establishment of post-harvest facilities in the main fishing port of Mati.
The post-harvest facilities will include ice-making and blast-freezing equipment, cold storage, fish drying and processing facilities.
Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat and San Isidro Mayor Justina Uy, who attended yesterday’s summit, expressed full support to the direction set by the provincial government.
Following yesterday’s summit, the MinDA planning staff will return to the province and start the social preparation, including the organization and training of fisherfolk associations in preparation for the implementation of the recommendations by the stakeholders.
(Mati City Information Office/ MinDA)