Mr Alcala proudly announced that it was the first fish landing center that was put up for this year.
“The government will continue to provide assistance for your needs, but we have to know what they are,” he said.
Mr Alcala is optimistic that the project, with a total cost of almost P3 million (M) will enable the fishers to increase their harvest and eventually lower prices.
The project is strategically located in Port of Balanacan in Marinduque which is a major port where vessels from the port of Lucena traverse carrying goods and tourists from Manila and other areas of the country.
“This center will serve as a post where fisherfolks can market their products. It can also be a gateway where they can receive and export their products,” Alcala said.
The center is equipped with stainless display shelves and 2 chest freezers to keep products fresh for a longer period of time.
The Balanacan Fish Landing Center is one of the five centers to be established in the province.
Another center was opened in Gasan yesterday.
During Mr Alcala’s visit, the Department of Agriculture - MIMAROPA distributed a total of P12M agri-interventions and assistance packages in line with the government’s initiatives to bring efficient service and projects to the people.
In addition, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources turned-over to the Provincial Government, the management of a 15-seater speedboat which they can use for patrolling the provincial waters, specifically of Sta. Cruz where poachers are often sighted.
Marinduque, dubbed as the “Heart of the Philippines”, is surrounded by bodies of water. It is composed of 37 barangays wherein 80 per cent of its 230,000 citizens rely on agriculture for their livelihood.
