Good News For Bangus in Pangasinan
Two important developments are happening for bangus in Pangasinan. One, Dagupan City is trying to curb the entry and sale of bangus from other provinces to protect the reputation of the real Bonuan or Dagupan bangus as well as the people patronizing it. Two, a bangus processing plant will be constructed in Dagupan City with funding from the Korean government, through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The Dagupan City government has placed “alien bangus” brought into the city market under a watch list, while the authentic Dagupan bangus is put under a tagging procedure. This aims to preserve the reputation of Dagupan as the bangus capital of the world and to protect consumers from buying the “alien” variety, which tastes and smells like mud. Traders from other provinces are now required to present documents to show proof of the origin of their bangus.
On the other hand, the Korean government and KOICA officials visited Dagupan City recently to confirm a grant of US $2 million for the project, which is due for release soon.
The Korean officials made an ocular inspection and preliminary survey of the proposed site in Bonuan Binloc. They also reviewed the seafood processing facility proposal, including information related to seafood demand, laws and policies related to the project, as well as possible constraints.
The fish processing plant is expected to create jobs, stimulate business activities, and add value to bangus - Dagupan’s main fisheries product.
