SPDA ventures into pangasius production

MANILA, Philippines - The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA), a government-owned and controlled corporation, has re-established its corporate presence in the Southern Philippines by investing in the production and processing of Pangasius catfish (otherwise known as cream dory) into high-quality fillet initially for the domestic, and eventually, the export markets.

The pangasius project is in keeping with the new SPDA’s policy thrust of utilizing government subsidies in undertakings that are aimed at helping the food security agenda of the national government and in generating jobs.

The project was performed under the stewardship of SPDA administrator Sultan Jerry Yayha Tomawis in consonance with the policy instituted by the SPDA board headed by chairman Saeed A. Daof.

The SPDA Vitali Fishpond Estate, located about 92 kilometers from Zamboanga City, recently produced the first harvest of 11,750 kilos of pangasius fish. The harvest was processed into fillet at the St. Joseph Marine Products Manufacturing and Trading Corp. inside the Fisheries Development Authority in Sangali port for market testing.

Unlike current practices of growing the fish, SPDA’s medium in culturing the fish variety is brackish water, hence pioneering in nature. Initial seeding of 87,000 fry commenced in late November 2009, and the first harvest took place in June this year.

“With the development of additional fish ponds in the sprawling SPDA fishery property, and as more traders and consumers learn about SPDA’s supply capability, we will be able to increase our production, generate more income for SPDA, and employ more people of the community in the project,” Tomawis said.

Interested parties may contact Cristy Dagala, chief, project monitoring and evaluation division, operations department, SPDA, tel. 410-5921.