TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar has facilitated an agreement with a private firm to establish an ice plant facility and a tuna buying station in the province, aiming to boost the local fishing industry and support fisherfolk.
The agreement was signed between SeaTrace International Inc. chief operations officer Christian Schmidradner and Laoang Mayor Hector Ong.
Witnessing the signing were OIC provincial agriculture Officer Jose Luis Acompañado, former Laoang mayor Madeline Ong, and key officials from the provincial government of Northern Samar.
“Mahalaga ang suporta ng gobyerno sa mga nagnenegosyo (investors), so together we can do this and make it strong,” Schmidradner emphasized, highlighting the importance of government support in fostering business growth.
The agreement includes a lease contract covering 10 commercial stalls and a hotel unit, which will serve as a warehouse for the ice plant, supporting the tuna buying station in Rawis, Laoang.
To ensure smooth project implementation, the signing was preceded by a dialogue among the provincial government, SeaTrace International, LGU Laoang, and local fisherfolk, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned with the project’s objectives and benefits.
As of January 29, 2025, SeaTrace International has already shipped its block ice-maker machines to its newly established ice plant, preparing for full-scale operations.
Beyond infrastructure development, the company is also set to launch livelihood programs for local communities, including skills training for fisherfolk in proper seafood handling, to help maintain high-quality standards in the tuna supply chain.
Prior to formalizing the agreement, Schmidradner visited Pacific coastal towns of Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, and Laoang last year to explore potential investment opportunities in Northern Samar.
SeaTrace International Inc. is a leading seafood exporter in the Philippines, supplying seafood products to the United States, European Union, and the United Arab Emirates.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
