Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 Isabela visited the J-Liam Smoked Fish Processing Center on 28 July 2022, in San Mariano, Isabela, to evaluate potential future support for the firm and business matching opportunities for the town’s fisherfolk.

Plant Manager Ms. Joy Marie Ancheta, gave the group a tour of the FDA-LTO certified facility where smoked Blue Mackerel Scad (Galunggong) is produced and supplied to the NCR and other neighboring provinces.

Ms. Garcia also talked about their business operations, including their capacity to send up to eight deliveries each day and produce over 2000 kilograms of smoked fish per delivery.

Given that they currently import their Blue Mackerel Scads, DTI Isabela Provincial Director (PD) Ma. Sofia G. Narag saw this as an excellent opportunity to connect them with local fishermen in Isabela. PD Narag also recommended that they introduce new smoked fish varieties like smoked tilapia, given Isabela’s plentiful supply of tilapia.

Furthermore, PD Narag encouraged Ms. Garcia to form an association with the local fishermen in San Mariano so that DTI may assist them with the equipment they need to further boost their production, in addition to the product development assistance they may obtain from the agency.

⬥ Release of date: 25 August 2022