In a recently held meeting at the Borongan City Hall, together with the officials of the City Agriculture Office and the City Cooperative Office and with the presence of the project beneficiary, the DOST-Eastern Samar has informed the group that the necessary equipment for fish processing, i.e. pressure cooker/canner, can sealer, stainless steel tables/sinks and chest freezer are on procurement stage and will be delivered in 1-2 months’ time.
Aside from the acquisition of equipment, the DOST will also provide technical trainings and consultancy services for the whole duration of the project. As counterpart, the City LGU has committed in the purchase of lot and the construction of new processing facility for the Cabong Mandaragat Association, the identified beneficiary of the project, and has started the preparation of documents for the bidding process for the facility, which is targeted to be completed and fully-functional before the year ends.
The project, which aims to improve the fishing industry and attain self-sufficiency of fish products in Borongan City, is funded under the 2021 DOST Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Program. The project also intends to introduce modern fish processing technologies and new fishery products – i.e. processed tuna fish, prevent wastage and prolong the shell-life of highly perishable fish.
The project is also aligned to the Borongan City’s flagship program – Dukwag Agrikultura – which seeks to strengthen agricultural development in the City thru the implementation of various local livelihood programs and cash assistance for the benefit of local farmers, fishermen and livestock hog raisers.
Borongan City is strategically located near the rich and diverse fishing grounds of the Pacific Ocean and is a popular landing site for commercial fishing vessels. Being a coastal city, majority of the households in the coastal barangays are engaged in fishery-related activities and highly depend on fishing for their livelihood.
In Eastern Visayas, the city also ranks among the highest in terms of fish caught, landed and consumed. Thus, the project is expected to boost the fishing industry and the local economy of the city
