GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 December) — A landmark honoring the city’s fishermen and pioneers of its thriving fishing sector will soon rise in a coastal village here.
Joseph Alvin Veneracion, chair of Barangay Dadiangas South, said they are currently finalizing plans for the establishment of a historical marker at the site of the city’s first fish port inside the Queen Tuna Park.
He said they have allocated an initial P1.6 million for the construction and development of the landmark, which was envisioned to become an additional attraction for the park’s visitors.
“The landmark is a tribute to the fishermen who pioneered the unprecedented progress of our fishing sector these past years that eventually made the city the Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” Veneracion said.
The barangay council of Dadiangas South earlier submitted the proposed establishment of the landmark to the city council for approval and endorsement.
The city council’s endorsement was seen to facilitate the involvement and provision of support to the project by various city government offices and non-government organizations, including the city tourism council.
Based on the project’s initial plan, Veneracion said the marker will be built near the old fish port site, which was known for many years as the city’s “fish landing.”
The area, which used to host a pier and trading post for unloaded fish, is located near the city’s main or central public market.
The “fish landing” site used to be the main site of fish trading activities and attracted thousands of traders, local residents and visitors from the neighboring areas on a daily basis.
The old fish port is located beside a beach front formerly known to locals as Lion’s Beach that was later redeveloped and renamed by the city government as the Queen Tuna Park.
To complement the establishment of the landmark, Veneracion said they are currently crafting a “holistic plan” to ensure its proper maintenance and preservation.
He said the plan will also involve the continuing development of the park, which remains a popular alternative for local beach goers.
“We will set some safety measure and integrate it with our peace and order programs,” Veneracion added.
Local fishery trading activities, especially for tuna, are currently centered at the city’s fish port complex in Barangay Tambler here that is managed by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority.
The 32-hectare fish port, which was completed more than a decade ago through a US$ 26 million loan grant from China, hosts modern fish landing and trading facilities.
Dubbed the country’s tuna capital, the city hosts six of the country’s tuna canneries and other related industries that generate average exports receipts of around US$ 350 million. (MindaNews)
