PRIMEX Director, Dr. Jerome F. Sison, was among ten international experts fielded by Orienta; Consultants of Japan to implement a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Stage 2 Preparatory Survey of the Nationwide Fish Ports Project (Package III) for the Philippines.
As Economic and Financial Analyst, Dr. Sison complemented the work of other consultants whose engagements included the Development and Design of Fish Port Facilities, Fish Port Planning, Fish Handling and Processing Facilities, Port Operation and Maintenance, and Environmental and Social Consideration, among others.
The study determined the priority for the development of the Nationwide Fish Ports Project (Package III), as basis of the Philippine Government’s availment of a Japanese Yen Loan Assistance. The Philippine government had earlier articulated the need to address issues on fishery infrastructure and fish catch distribution at the municipality level.
The Survey covered regional fish ports in Iloilo, Camaligan, Lucena, Sual, and Davao and a satellite fishing port also in Davao, making a total of six6 feasible locations for development. Municipal-level fish ports located in the vicinity of these regional fish ports were also target sites for needs assessment survey. The Team prepared relevant plans and corresponding cost estimates for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the proposed fish ports.
The project goal was to establish fish port complexes—equipped with facilities such as a breakwater, landing quay, market halls, refrigeration and processing facilities, slipway, etc.—in strategic fish landing centers nationwide. The project proponent was the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), a government-owned and controlled (GOCC) entity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture (DA).