Soon there will be no more mistaking bangus from other provinces for the genuine bangus from Pangasinan.
Starting October, bangus produced here will bear blue tags on the fin to distinguish it from the co-called "alien" bangus from other provinces.
Nestor Domenden, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said in an interview with The PUNCH that this labeling will protect both the retailers and the consumers against other varieties being peddled in the markets as Pangasinan bangus to safeguard the industry.
“Maski saang palengke, ang sinasabi ng vendor ay Pangasinan or Dagupan bangus yan maski hindi,” Domenden said.
“Pangasinan is not only the biggest producer of bangus but our bangus enjoys a high rate of preference among consumers across the country" he added.
According to Domenden, the Ilocos Region is targeting to produce 125,000 metric tons of bangus this year, 92 percent of which will be sourced from Pangasinan.
About 68 percent of bangus production in Pangasinan are raised in fish pens and fish cages.
The tagging is a project of the BFAR regional field office under the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which designed the label.
Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. of Dagupan City, now billed as the Bangus Capital of the World, was the first to initiate labeling of bangus produced in the city.
Fernandez also directed teams to conduct nightly inspection of bangus unloaded in the market and check their sources.
"Alien" bangus are still being sold in Dagupan markets but these are now properly priced against the more expensive but higher quality Dagupan bangus," Fernandez said.
First to be covered by BFAR's tagging policy are bangus from Binmaley, Lingayen, Sual, Alaminos City, Bolinao, San Fabian, Mangaldan, Infanta, and Agno.
Privately-owned companies operating in the province may also opt to label their Pangasinan produce.
The bands, designed for 'one-time-use', cost 12 centavos each, a minimal amount that will be added to the market price that currently ranges from P85 to P90 per kilo.
