‘MORE THAN JUST MANGOES’: Guimaras’ Bangus Fair to promote agri-fishery industry

By John Noel E. Herrera 

The Guimaras Island aims to prove that it is more than just mangoes and dragon fruits as the province launched its first-ever Bangus Fair on Friday, Dec 16, 2022.

Locally-grown milkfish and processed bangus (milkfish) took center stage during the one-day event as the provincial government aimed to promote and strengthen its campaign of being an agri-fishery and eco-tourism hub in the region as well.

“First time ni sa Guimaras and gusto ta i-showcase ang isa ka potential nga growing bangus industry diri, so gin-gaan ta opportunity ang aton fisherfolks and operators involved sa bangus industry, and I hope that this would be the start sang pag-expand sang sini nga industriya (agri-fishery and aquaculture industries) kag eventually would lead to something bigger,” Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava said.

The event was another way to create support for the local farmers and hasten the recovery of the local economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an oppurtunity nga ang fisherfolks, mga bangus producers magtipunay bala, mag-connect sa market, sa consumers, so this program is one of the models of province nga maconnect sila sa markets,” Provincial Economic Development officer Francisco Gentoral added.

Nava also said that they have already prepared around P20 million for the agri-fishery industrial village that will be built in San Lorenzo, Guimaras. It will be composed of small village-level industries that will improve the agri-fishery and aquaculture value of the province.

In the 2021 Provincial Product Account (PPA) report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Guimaras recorded a 7.7 percent increase in its economic growth, wherein its agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries contributed one of the largest shares at 34.1 percent.

The provincial government also noted that the bangus industry recorded a 7.35 percent growth this year, which contributed one of the largest shares in the agri-fishery industry in the province.

The event was also part of the highlights of Guimaras’ “Paskwa sa Isla”, organized by the provincial government in partnership with Sibunag Fish Producers’ Association.

Guimaras allotted around 1,500 kilograms of bangus for the trade fair, which can be bought from P160 to P170/kg, depending on its size.

Aside from fresh bangus selling, the fair also featured demonstrations and competitions on bangus deboning, and selling of bangus processed products and cuisines like relleno and marinated bangus.

Meanwhile, the “Paskwa sa Isla” also aimed to support the recovery of the MSMEs, farmers, and fisher folks by generating tourism and market opportunities through trade fairs like the bangus fair, food festivals, light a tree contest, mango selling, among others.