ALBAY FISH POND OWNERS CONDUCT TECHNO-APPRECIATION TOUR TO PANGASIUS FARMS IN CAMARINES SUR

The Regional Investment Forum on Pangasius conducted last March 22, 2011 in Legazpi City ignited the interest of local fish pond operators to consider Pangasius as an alternative to their existing tilapia stocks. This fish specie is known locally as “hammerhead” and was previously sold in local pet shops as ornamental or aquarium fish before its potential big demand in the market both local and foreign specially from upscale restaurants and hotels was recognized. Filleted Pangasius fish is served in several exotic names such as Cobbler fish, cream dowry fish, basa fish and others.

Because of these business opportunities in the Pangasius business, local fish pond owners and businessmen have shown interest to invest into it, thus, to further deepen their knowledge and know-how about the industry and the product itself considering that it’s relatively new and they have never seen it before,the Technology-Appreciation Tour to selected fish farms in Camarines Sur was conducted last June 28, 2011. It was participated in by 18 local fish pond operators and would-be investors.

During the tour, the group made a short courtesy call to DTI-Camrines Sur Provincial Office and was warmly welcomed by Provincial Director Edna Tejada wherein a short industry briefing was also given. Afterwards they proceeded to the Galicia Farm in San Fernando, Camarines Sur and then later at the A & L Hatchery Farm in Camaligan. In these two farms, the group was practically amazed on the business potentials of Pangasius as a new fish variety because of its relatively lower maintenance and production costs as compared with other freshwater fishes.

The group also visited the Regioal Freshwater Fisheries Center in Bula, Camarines Sur. RFFC officials toured the group to the new processing (canning) facility of the center which will serve as a common service facility.

As a result of the tour, the participants were exposed to the actual operations and maintenance of a Pangasius farm and somehow aroused their interest to engage in Pangasius farming. They purchased fingerlings for sample growing in their respective ponds. However, the participants were also apprised on some issues and concerns confronting the industry and these include: 1. ready and sustainable market for their produce as there are only two existing local consolidators and market is still Manila. There are no local processors yet; 2. Issue on the Environment Impact Assessment as claimed by the RFFC Manager which means until todate, no EIA has been conducted to determine the impact of Pangasius culture to the local environment, and 3. Use of chlorine (by some processors from other parts of the country) in preserving the meat of Pangasius to make the color whiter that puts the entire industry at an unfavorable situation in the international market.

178 DISPLACED OFWs BENEFIT FROM DTI ENTREP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND BUSINESS CONSULTANCY SERVICES

As part of the Department of Trade and Industry's commitment and assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are either displaced, repatriated and with finished contract and will stay for good in the Philippines, the office acceded to the request of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) -Regional Office No. V to partner with them by providing entrepreneurship development training and business consultancy services to the sector.

This initiative is part of OWWA's Enterprise Development Training (EDT)project under the Reintegration Program for OFWs. Aside from attending Entrepreneurship Orientation, the trainees are required to prepare Simple Business Plans to avail of the P 10,000.00 grant under the National Reintegration Center for OFWs Fund for livelihood projects. Likewise, for OFWs or group of OFWs who need bigger capitalization ranging from P 300,000.00 up to P 2,000,000.00, they are required to prepare a more detailed business plan for submission to the Landbank of the Philippines who manages the P 2 billion Reintegration Program for OFW Fund.

In the preparation of business plans by OFWs,the DTI takes a major critical role as it is given the prime responsibility to assess and evaluate the feasbility and viability of the projects and recommend the same for funding.

Since the DTI-OWWA partnership started last May, 2011 up to this writing (July), the DTI already facilitated three training sessions attended by a total of 178 OFW-participants, evaluated and recommended 83 business plans with total grant/loan applications amounting to P 10,027,947.00. Majority of the proposals are on agribusiness, allied services, food and non-food processing and trading.

It is worthwhile to mention that less than three months after the DTI intervention, some of the OFW-beneficiaries already started their formal business operations. They already complied with the mandatory business requirements such as DTI Business Name Registration, BIR and Mayor's Permit. Noteworthy to mention are two repatriated OFWs affected by the recent conflicts in Libya and they are Jesus Pedido Lustre III of Ligao City who registered his Lustre's Welding and Repair Shop and Alexander Guban Fresnido also of Ligao City who registred his Alesig Hollow Bloacka Factory and Gravel and Sand. As the DTI assistance continuous, more new entrepreneurs are expected to be developed and therefore more economic activities for the province.