Fish plant, retirement village eyed in San Remigio

CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese investor is eyeing of putting up a fish processing plant and a retirement village for Japanese nationals in the northern town of San Remigio.

San Remigio Mayor Jay Olivar said he is now negotiating with the investor, as the latter reportedly wants to undertake the projects jointly with the municipal government. The Japanese investor reportedly visited the town recently.

Olivar is withholding the name of the investor until the deals are formalized.

The investor also reportedly eyes exporting sea urchins, which is abundant in the waters of San Remigio and its neighboring towns and islands. Sea urchins are considered to be aphrodisiac, but are very expensive in Japan.

“Dagko kaayo ang unod sa swaki namo dinhi, maoy nabiliban sa Hapon. Sa ila kuno, gagmay kaayo. Cultured pa gyud, deprensya ang lami,” Olivar said.

Olivar said that should the project pushes through, the investor would require about eight to 10 tons of frozen fish to be shipped to Japan every day. The mayor’s family owns commercial fishing boats, but he said he can only manage to supply up to eight tons a day, if ever.

“Magpalaban ko ani sa ubang lugar sa Palawan, Bantayan ug Negros,” Olivar said.

Fish suppliers from neighboring areas and provinces would also be welcome to bring their supplies to San Remigio.

Aside from the fish plant, the investor is also reportedly eyeing at assisting small fishermen in the town in disposing of their catch.

Meanwhile, Olivar said the town has already identified 2.5 hectares of property where the proposed retirement village for Japanese nationals would be established.

Olivar said the investor has thought of the village because bringing the elderly to the Philippines is reportedly cheaper than hiring a caregiver in Japan. This is because one caregiver is reportedly only allowed one elderly in Japan, unlike here in the Philippines when one caregiver can attend to up to four elderly.

Olivar said the projects are seen to boost the economic and tourism industries in the municipality. (FREEMAN)