Fishing on thin ice

There was a time when the fisher-members of the Yakap at Halik Multipurpose Quezon 2 faced a precarious situation. When their fishpond and fish cage operations expanded, a problem arose in consolidating and marketing their catch: the lack of ice producers near their area.

Since ice is important in maintaining the freshness of their catch, fisherfolk had to sell at a lower price if there was not enough supply of ice.

In partnership with Palamigan Co., a provider of community-based, low-cost, cold chain solutions in the country, PEF facilitated the establishment of a micro ice plant in Padre Burgos, Quezon. 

The micro ice plant was placed conveniently near the coop’s fish landing area. Aside from their 40 fisherfolk members, 154 other families are expected to benefit from the ice plant.

According to April Brenda Ilao, manager of Yakap at Halik’s Team Aqua, the ice produced from the plant will help in times of emergency harvests and will also provide employment opportunities for young members of the cooperative.

“Napakalaking ginhawa nito sa’min,” she said.