Tuna Capital of the Philippines: General Santos City, Philippines. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 22nd National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit, organized by the SOCKSAGRGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII), successfully took place at SM Trade Halls in General Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines on September 1–2, 2022.
The event, themed “Philippine Tuna Industry: Braving the Rough Seas Towards a Better Tomorrow,” highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tuna industry and explored strategies for recovery, including technological advancements, sustainable practices, and market opportunities. DTI Assistant Secretary Dominic Tolentino, Jr. emphasized the critical role of the fishing industry in the nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
Mr. Len R. Garces, Vice President-Technical Services (left) and Mr. Patrick John C. Salamat, Technical Services Officer (right)
Exhibits and PRIMEX Participation
The trade exhibit featured 60 exhibitors across 120 booths, showcasing the latest in technology, packaging materials, equipment, and support services from government and non-government agencies.
PRIMEX was represented by Mr. Len R. Garces, Vice President – Technical Services, and Mr. Patrick John C. Salamat, Technical Services Officer. PRIMEX’s booth showcased learning materials developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in partnership with the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), WWF, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Copies of these materials were distributed to students, professors, professionals, and parents, including those from Mindanao State University (MSU), promoting education and awareness on sustainable fisheries.
(Books/Learning Materials published by ADB and CTI that were distributed in the two-day Trade Exhibit)
(Distribution of learning materials published by ADB and CTI to students and professors of Mindanao State University (MSU))
(L-R: Mr. Omar M. Sabal (Assistant Regional Director, BFAR Region 12), Mr. Usop D. Pendaliday, Jr. (Regional Director- BFAR 12), Mr. Len R. Garces, and Mr. Severino L. Escobar, Jr. (BFAR Central Office))
(Welcome Dinner at KCC Convention and Events Center. Upper L-R: Mr. Len R. Garces with Mr. Rafael V. Ramiscal (Division Chief, BFAR), Atty. Benjamin Felipe S. Tabios Jr. (Assistant Director of BFAR), Lower L-R: Mr. Nestor D. Domenden, CESO IV (Executive Director III-OIC, BFAR), Mr. Wilfredo M. Cruz (Regional Director-Region 3), Mr. Nelson O. Bien (Regional Director-Region 5, and Mr. Nilo Selim Katada, Ph.D. (Regional Director-Region XIII CARAGA)
Plenary discussions focused on the status of tuna fishery and allied sectors amidst the pandemic, covering tuna stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, Philippine tuna production, tuna canning and chilled/frozen tuna market trends.
On the second day, sessions addressed Philippine tuna export opportunities and constraints across global markets, as well as technological innovations, including the journey of the first Philippine MSC-certified tuna fishery, research programs on Philippine tuna species, agro-industrial hubs in Region 12, ALON for Thriving Coastal Waters, seafood quality improvement using technology and data, local IT solutions for the tuna industry, and Ocean Eyes, an artificial intelligence solution for commercial fishing. Special events included a welcome dinner at KCC Convention Center, a MOA signing to accelerate bilateral fisheries agreements, improve port services, and upgrade laboratory capabilities, and a farewell dinner at Greenleaf Hotel, highlighted by fresh tuna sashimi.
(Mr. Patrick John C. Salamat with Senator Mark Villar in PRIMEX and BFAR booth)
The congress concluded with a special message from Senator Mark Villar on behalf of Senator Cynthia Villar, who also visited the trade exhibit booths to acknowledge participants’ contributions to the growth of the Philippine tuna industry. PRIMEX’s participation reinforced its commitment to supporting sustainable fisheries, sharing technical knowledge, and engaging stakeholders in advancing the resilience and sustainability of the Philippine tuna sector.
The discussions provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and highlighted measures for sustainable growth and resilience. Through its technical expertise and knowledge-sharing initiatives, PRIMEX continues to contribute to the growth, resilience, and sustainability of the Philippine fisheries sector.
(From L-R: Mr. Len R. Garces, Mr. Paris U.Y. Ayon (Administrative Chief, PFDA-General Santos Fish Port Complex (GSFPC), Mr. Omar M. Sabal (Assistant Regional Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 12), and Mr. Patrick John C. Salamat at Greenleaf Hotel)
(Mr. Len R. Garces beside the butcher filleting the fresh tuna)