The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry said that the production of Hito or catfish has shown remarkable growth after its introduction in Region 12. It is told that DTI-Region 12 has been promoting Pangasius hypopthalmus, also called dory or sutchi fish, starting in the third quarter of 2008.
Dorecita T. Delima, DTI regional assistant director, said that there are now four hatchery ponds, two nursery ponds, three processing companies and at least 60 fish ponds devoted to Pangasius cultivation. Official figure revealed that the regional Pangasius industry generated 150 jobs and domestic sales of P106 million from farmers and processors from January 2009 to January 2010.
Delima said investments in Pangasius are concentrated mostly in Midsayap and Pigcawayan in North Cotabato; Koronadal City, Polomolok, Tupi, Sto Nino, Banga, Lake Sebu, and Norala in South Cotabato; Senator Ninoy Aquino and Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat; General Santos City; and Alabel in Saranggani.
Local farmers has accepted the production of pangasius so positively that it has promoted a major processing company, RDex Food Corp. Inc., to stop importing the fish variety, opined Delima. Roger E. Rivera, senior vice president and chief operating officer of RDEX Foods, earlier said the firm recognizes the potential of Pangasius in the international market and that it is keen on helping the industry grow in the locality.
Two more micro entrepreneurs, Kimkyts Food Products and KM Food Products, also based in this city, are now processing pangasius into fish balls, shanghai rolls, nuggets, siomai, and patties. To support the industry, the regional Trade department has coordinated the distribution of 1.5 million pangasius fingerlings to 60 farmer-growers in 2009.
