ILOILO CITY – A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) was launched to boost the international marketability of “kasag” (blue crab) from Concepcion, Iloilo after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed for the Adopt-A-Village project in the island-barangay of Igbon.
OFFICIALS sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Adopt-a-Village project in the island-barangay of Igbon in Concepcion town, Iloilo province. (DA-6 PIO)
The MOU signatories were the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Iloilo provincial government, Philippine Association of Crab Processors Inc. (PACPI), and Saravia Blue Crab Inc.
The agreement seeks to upgrade the blue crab as a yellow-rate product and eventually obtain the highest green-rate product rating.
“Over the years, such partnerships have emerged as one of the most effective methods of providing service to our nation and people. Only with your support, trust, and cooperation can we meet the objectives to being rated yellow as success,” said DA Undersecretary Drusila Esther Bayate.
“The commitment to sustainability is not only for the fishermen, but also for the buyers and should be continuously worked out,” said PACPI President Kunho Choi.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said that the administration of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is committed to reviving the blue crab industry in the province. It recently opened an P8-million crab hatchery in Concepcion and plans for a new hatchery are afoot in Batad town.
The Adopt-A-Village project will be implemented in other parts of the Visayas.