PH government aims to have a new tuna capital of the country before year 2025

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The PH government is looking to develop the municipality of Dingalan, in Aurora Province, to become the country's second key tuna port, after General Santos City. The reason is so that there will be abundant supply of tuna all year round. General Santos City has been experiencing quite slow production at the moment due to covid-19 pandemic effects and restrictions, at the same time, closure of some of the businesses in the province. Therefore, another capital for supply of tuna is a necessity. Dingalan province has one small processing plant that turns Pacific bluefin into limited quantities of sliced sashimi, belly, jaw, and tail for select markets. But the bureau of fisheries and aquatic resources wants to construct a fish port that will also serve as a dock and refuge for all vessels during typhoons, and a station for the Philippine Coast Guard. It has already submitted the proposal to the central office for consideration and approval. It also plans to assist the municipal government of Dingalan to organize a fisherfolk cooperative that will allow members to qualify for assistance to procure bigger boats, as well as put up bigger cold storage and processing facilities. This project is aimed to be completed before year 2025.