MALITA, Davao Occidental (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture XI recently turned over a P40-million fish processing and innovation hub facility to the Malita-based Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST).
The Sustainable Agriculture and Fishery Enterprise (SAFE) Fish Processing and Innovation Hub is under DA’s General Appropriations Act of 2021, which aims at improving the quality of life in the province of Davao Occidental.
From the total budget of the SAFE project, the allocation comprised of the following: P20 million for the fish processing building and cold storage; P8 million for the machinery, equipment and reefer van; and P3 million for the fish processing supplies and material.
A P4-million allocation was also set for fish production equipment, supplies, materials and maintenance and operating expenses.
In addition, another P1 million was also included for the professional services and the remaining expenses is for the information, communication technology (ICT) equipment and utility expenses.
The facility, which is the first in Davao Region, was established to promote agri-industrialization programs, create linkages on community-based fish production and provide employment to the local farmers and fisherfolks in the communities of Davao Occidental.
DA-XI Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Andres Alemania said that DA-XI will bank on the capability of SPAMAST officials to see to it that the project will be implemented to its fullest.
Alemania hoped that the project will serve its purpose to serve small scale fish processors and entrepreneurs, and ultimately, to catalyze sustainable growth of product processing enterprises in Davao Occidental.
SPAMAST President Dr. Ruth Lucero expressed her gratitude to DA-XI, stating, “This is another milestone for SPAMAST and will surely enhance the institution’s capacity to provide venue for our entrepreneurs, SMEs, youth, researchers, retirees to explore and incubate to develop technology in adherent to global standards.”
Moreover, Agriculture and Fishery Industrialization Program Director Jerome Bunyi raised the need to have high-impact investments and economic opportunities in rural areas, thus, the purpose of establishing the SAFE project. (PIA-XI/Franchette Delfin/Agri Info Davao/SPAMAST)
