CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Masantol, Pampanga Mayor-Elect Jose Antonio Bustos III pledged to strengthen the town’s seafood industry and aquatic tourism.
 
He emphasized that his administration will ensure that small fisherfolks will have easier access to the market, and that they get their maximum profit from their harvest.
 
“The main source of income for Masantol is fisheries because we are surrounded by water. That is why we want to strengthen this industry… I think you will agree when I say that food security is number one security that is why we will focus on this,” Bustos said.
 
As a coastal area, the town is a known producer of shrimps, prawns, crabs, crablets, clams, shellfish, tilapia and milkfish.
 
In addition, Bustos shared that he will focus on improving Masantol’s aquatic tourism activities to entice tourists and investors, and in turn aid in economic growth.
 
“For many years, water has been a disadvantage for Masantoleños because of the flooding here due to rain and high tide. We were trained to look at the glass half-full, not half-empty. That is why we will make water more of an advantage, and not a disadvantage here,” he pressed.
 
He stated that he will further promote the town’s annual seafood festival, a homegrown celebration showcasing seafood harvests and products.  
 
On the investors, Bustos underscored he will boost local job employment by guaranteeing that about 70 percent of the employees in the businesses are residents of Masantol.
 
“When there is livelihood, there is income. When there is income, the people will have buying power. When there is buying power, there is demand. When there is supply for that demand, the local economy of Masantol will continue to grow,” he stressed.
 
The young incoming official vowed to be in close coordination with national government agencies, stakeholders, and the private sector for possible assistance and partnerships to ensure that the municipality will have stable families that will contribute to a growing community. (MJSC/JLDC- PIA 3)