Isda-on-the-go program expands

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (DA-PFDA) has partnered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to expand the isda-on-the-go (iOTG) program as it continues to supply affordable and quality  fish and fishery products.

The iOTG is PFDA’s flagship corporate social responsibility project aimed at  delivering high-quality fresh-frozen fishery products to consumers at very affordable prices.

During the MOU signing, the DA-PFDA also turned over 100 refrigerated vans and inverter chest freezers for 60 cooperatives belonging to the marginalized sector under the CDA, 10 government agencies, and  30 community-based organizations such as  tricycle operators and drivers association (TODA), parishes, senior citizens groups, homeowners association, and individual partners.

“This event today, I consider it as a historic event because we are expanding our partnership with CDA in promoting and enhancing the cooperatives development in the country, particularly the fishery sector,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

Dar stressed that the collaboration seeks to enhance the power of cooperative development in the distribution and marketing of fisheries products.

“We are providing them with a new system of delivering and marketing agricultural products. We have to provide an alternative system and see to it that affordable fish and other commodities will be available in the wet markets of Metro Manila,” Dar said.

Despite the current challenges, Dar said the DA, with the help of CDA, aims to penetrate more fishery cooperatives to adopt the new system.

Dar is  seeking further collaboration with the CDA particularly in institutionalizing and enhancing cooperatives in agriculture.

He said this would  support the OneDA Reform Agenda key strategies in helping farmers and fishers form into a cooperative.