Saravia Fish Market earns about P1.5M a day: mayor

Digicast Negros
July 7, 2024
by Carla P. Gomez

EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon (right) at the Saravia Fish Market.*CPG photo

A bustling fish market in EB Magalona town, Negros Occidental, where fresh sea catch is sold to buyers from various parts of the province is earning from P1 million to P1.5 million in sales a day, Mayor Marvin Malacon said on Saturday, July 6.

The 4-month-old Saravia Fish Market located along the highway at Barangay Poblacion II is open from 2 a.m.  to 9 a.m. daily, the mayor said. 

All kinds of fish, shrimps, crabs, squid caught by fishermen from Negros Occidental, Carles in Iloilo and as far as Mindanao are delivered  to the Saravia  market and sold at much lower prices that in  regular markets. 

Malacon said the town’s pala-pala or fish market used to be located at Barangay Manta-angan that is some distance from the highway. 

So he decided to have it moved next to the highway where it could generate more income for the town government and EB Magalona residents, Malacon said. 

The sea catch is purchased by buyers for resale at markets in various parts on Negros Occidental, for restaurants and by individuals who come to enjoy the wide variety of fresh choices. 

The sea catch is delivered to persons called “commissioners” at the Saravia Fish Market, who are in charge of selling the supply to the buyers.

The about 15 “commissioners” who are from EB Magalona are paid 7 percent of the earnings from the fish catch sales for the day.  

They in turn give the municipal government a percentage of the 7 percent for the free use of the Saravia Fish Market. The municipal government also provides free water, electricity and security, Malacon said. 

Malacon said the municipal government earns about P300,000 and more a month from its percentage. 

Their fish market or pala-pala is the first in the province located next to the highway, which makes it more accessible to sellers and buyers, Malacon said. 

Nona Samanion, 35, one of the “commissioners”, said they are happy the mayor set up the fish market next to the highway because they are earning much more than when they were located at Manta-angan. 

“It is much nicer here,” she said.*