Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019

COGNIZANCE ON THE Practical Research I

STEM B (Banyuhay)
Group 9
FISH HANDLING PRACTICES January 2019

AND SANITATION IN MAGSAYSAY

PUBLIC MARKET IN AT DAGUPAN CITY

Dan Albert Dela Cruz, Jhon Fritzter Gemiano, Joisa Lajera,

Robert Coy Sison, Imee Cristina Vila, Christian Vinluan
Pangasinan State University—Lingayen Campus—Senior High School

Date Received: January 17, 2018; Date Revised: January 10, 2019

Abstract - Public markets are prone to bacteria. It is where the source of livelihood
for fish vendors is located. That is why the important characteristic of a market should
have is cleanliness. How vendors handle their products for the safety of consumers is
also important in order to avoid the risk of getting diseases caused by a filthy
environment and improper handling of fish. The purpose of this study is to determine
the fish handling practices and sanitation procedures of the fish vendors and to provide
information about the current condition of Magsaysay public market. The method used
in this research is qualitative data. The techniques used were interview and a
questionnaire wherein the respondents were the fish vendors. Findings showed that the
vendors are doing their work properly. But they also need instantaneous actions like
the rehabilitation of the drainage systems and the proper usage of market facilities.
The researchers recommend the rehabilitation of the drainage systems and the proper
usage of market facilities. The researchers also recommend the information gathered
by the researchers should be disseminated for the awareness of the people about the
current situation of the market. In addition, further study should be conducted to
determine the changes in the public market.
Keywords: Fish vendors, Fish handling practices, sanitation

INTRODUCTION Philippines is an archipelago

According to WEPA, the purpose of
the Presidential Decree No. 856, s. 1975,
the Code in Sanitation, is to prescribe
sanitation requirements for food
establishments and refuse collections and
disposal system of cities and municipalities.
consisting of more than 7,000 islands.
According to Javier (2018), Philippines
have 10 million hectares of land suitable for
agriculture out of a total land mass of 30
million hectares. In 2009, the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted a
survey and showed that the poorest
Filipinos among the poor are the 1.6 million
households of fisher folks and coastal

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 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019
dwellers who rely their food needs and
income on fishing. In 2015, the fishing
Industry contributed P240 billion to the
economy of the Philippines.
However, like most of the rest of
agriculture, fisheries production is
declining over the last decade. Whereas
Philippines have not invested enough in
modern vessels and fishing gear.
Additionally, the Philippines has not
established enough fish ports with the
appropriate dry and cold storage facilities to
minimize post-harvest losses (Javier,
2018). However, the following year,
according to Food and Agriculture
Organization (2017), the Philippines ranked
eighth among the top fish producers in the
world with Central Visayas at the forefront.
Dagupan City is located on the
northern part of Pangasinan province and is
approximately 200 kilometers north of
Manila. The city is bounded by Lingayen
Gulf in the north, Mangaldan in the east,
Calasiao in the south and Binmaley in the
west. It has an area of 37. 2 square
kilometers and is comprised of 31
barangays. The major land formation in the
area includes a coastal plain having an
almost flat terrain slopes ranging from zero
to three percent while the rest are
considered swampy areas, ponds and other
forms of wetlands. Among the coastal
municipalities in Pangasinan, Dagupan
City has the second largest wetland area of
25.3 square kilometers (Philippine
Statistics Authority, 2018).
The city is long regarded as the
prime producer and exporter of the popular
milkfish, and is the "Bangus Capital of the
Philippines". In addition, Dagupan City is
the Philippines' leading aquaculture
industry (Dagupan City, 2016). From 2001
to 2003, Dagupan's milkfish production
totalled to 35,560.1 metric tons,
contributing 16.8 percent to the total
provincial production. Bonuan bangus is
preferred by many because of its savoury
taste and palatability that is grown only in
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fish ponds and is dependent on natural food
(Philippine Statistics Authority, 2018).
Although the city is categorized as
urban in its entirety, one third of the 31
barangays are still devoted into agricultural
production and nine remain as fishing
communities. (Philippine Statistics
Authority, 2018). That is why the major
source of income among the coastal
residents today is fishing and salt making.
In addition, Dagupan City is known to be
the biggest entreport not only in the
Province of Pangasinan but the whole of
Region I (Dagupan City, 2016).
Since Magsaysay public market is
the largest fish port in Dagupan City, the
aim of this study is to observe the fish
handling practices and sanitation
procedures of the vendors.
Sanitation refers to the maintenance
of hygienic conditions, through services
such as garbage collection and wastewater
disposal. Inadequate sanitation is a major
source of disease world-wide and
improving sanitation is known to have a
significant beneficial impact on health both
in households, communities and facilities
(World Health Organization, 2018).
In fact, food poisoning from fish is
very rare, although some cases about
consuming fish are reported every year in
many places, such cases are mostly caused
by bacteria like Escherichia cold, vibrios
and salmonella, which could be attached on
fish. That is why many local fish markets
have now been undertaking various
activities aimed at managing quality control
and safety of fish products from landing to
transport and selling in order to ensure the
safety of local consumers (Sato, Matsumoto
& Kawata, 2010).
OBJECTIVES
The main purpose of this study is to
determine the fish handling practices and
sanitation of fish vendors at Magsaysay
public market in Dagupan City.
 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019
Specifically, the study aimed to: (1) to
determine the awareness of fish vendors on
the fish handling practices and sanitation in
terms of: (a) market floor (b) preserved
fish temperature (c) sorting of fish (d)
containers. (2) To determine the status of
the drainage system at Magsaysay public
market in Dagupan City. (3) To determine
the availability of washing facilities in
Magsaysay public market.
Significance of the Study
The study aims to determine the
awareness of the fish vendors on the fish
handling practices and sanitation in
Magsaysay public market in Dagupan City.
The findings of the study will serve as an
eye-opener for the fish vendors in order to
ensure a sanitary environment to assure the
safety of consumers. In addition, the study
will provide insights to fish consumers
regarding the current condition of the said
fish market.
Scope and Limitation
The focus of the study is about the
consumers’ awareness on the fish handling
practices and sanitation of fish vendors in
Dagupan City. The site of the study will be
at Magsaysay public market in Dagupan
City. Whereas the place is one of the
largest fish port area and considering the
proximity of residence of the researchers.
The study is expected to be finished on the
year 2018.
REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
According to Javier (2018),
Philippines have 10 million hectares of land
suitable for agriculture out of a total land
mass of 30 million hectares. On the other
hand, the country has 220 million hectares
of territorial waters including the exclusive
economic zone with 750 000 hectares of
inland waters, and a coastline of 17 460
kilometres. In fact, Philippines have vast
fisheries and aquatic resources which is not
sufficiently tapped.
3
In 2009, the Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA) conducted a survey and
showed that the poorest Filipinos among
the poor are the 1.6 million households of
fisher folks and coastal dwellers who rely
their food needs and income on fishing.
The survey demonstrated the difference
between the mean annual income of fisher
folk to other households which was P70 000
and P144 000, respectively (Javier, 2018).
The three sub-sectors of fishing
industry includes the commercial fishing
through boats with tonnage in excess of
three tons while municipal fishing with
boats weighing three tons or less. On the
other hand, the artificial culture of fish can
be conducted in three kinds of water
environments, in inland fresh waters,
coastal brackish waters, and salty marine
waters (Javier, 2018).
In 2015, the fishing industry
contributed P240 billion to the economy of
the Philippines with its three sub-sectors,
namely commercial fisheries, municipal
fisheries and aquaculture, each sub-sectors
contributed P65 billion, P81 billion and P93
billion, respectively. However, like most of
the rest of agriculture, fisheries production
is declining over the last decade. Whereas
the inland and coastal waters of the country
are degraded and overfished. In addition,
Philippines have not invested enough in
modern vessels and fishing gear to enable
the country’s commercial fishing fleet to go
far into deep waters and beyond the
exclusive economic zone. Also, the
Philippines has not established enough fish
ports with the appropriate dry and cold
storage facilities to minimize post-harvest
losses. Moreover, the country did not
invested enough in aquaculture and
development of fish products that can
compete in the world market. That is why
the new DFAR sets an agenda to resolve the
issues. To avoid further destruction of coral
reefs one of the agenda is to protect the
habitats of fishes in order to avoid
overfishing and to allow the fishes grow in
marketable size. Additionally, to expand
 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019
the fish pens, fish cages and fish ponds
there will be more investments in
aquaculture to improve hatchery and grow-
out technologies (Javier, 2018).
Based on the data of PSA, there was
a fish supply deficit of coastal marine
fisheries in 2015, particularly in the inland
areas of Mindanao. That is why Mindanao
only produced 35% of the country’s total
municipal marine fisheries and 30% of its
municipal inland fisheries (Guerrero,
2017).
However, the following year
according to Food and Agriculture
Organization (2017), the Philippines ranked
eighth among the top fish producers in the
world with Central Visayas at the forefront.
In 2017, the total agriculture output
results was 17.40 percent. The fisheries sub
sector registered a 4.27 percent decline in
output from a decline of 2.58 percent last
year. According to the Philippine Statistics
Authority (2017), the country’s milkfish
production contracted by 0.73 percent due
to heavy siltation in the marine cages in
Davao del Sur which prompted the local
government unit to issue an advisory to
limit fishing activities because of water
pollution brought about by too much feeds.
Meanwhile, the harvested smaller sizes of
milkfish from brackish water fish ponds in
Bulacan was the result of sudden rains from
hot weather in July. Likewise, the use of
poor quality fingerlings and the effects of
changes in weather conditions negatively
affected the production of milkfish in
Zambales. While in CALABARZON due
to possible dismantling of fish pens by the
Laguna Lake Development Authority there
was a temporary stoppage of some farming
operations (Miraflor, 2017).
Among the coastal municipalities in
Pangasinan, Dagupan City has the second
largest wetland area with 25.3 square
kilometres (Geography, 2018). The city is
situated in the river delta estuary system of
the Agno River at the head of the Lingayen
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Gulf, an important commercial fishing area.
It has been an important transportation
centre and fish landing port that was
enhanced by the opening of a now defunct
railway line to Manila. As a result of good
transportation and fisheries, a number of
secondary industries have grown up in the
area which include boat and fishing gear
manufacturing and sales, as well as fish
processing (World Aquaculture, 1998).
In the local language of Pangasinan,
“Dagupan” means "gathering place", since
the city has been a local market core
throughout the centuries with an area of
37.2 square kilometers and is comprised of
31 barangays. The city is long regarded as
the prime producer and exporter of milkfish
and known for its high quality milkfish
products that is why it is the “Bangus
Capital of the Philippines”. Additionally,
Dagupan City is the Philippines’ leading
aquaculture industry, aside from milkfish
other principal cultured fish species are
tilapia, shrimp, and seaweeds (Geography,
2018).
Although the city is categorized as
urban in its entirety, one third of the
barangays are still devoted into agricultural
production and nine remain as fishing
communities that is why the major source
of income among the coastal residents
today is fishing and salt making
(Geography, 2018).
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study uses descriptive-survey
research design in investigating the
awareness on fish handling practices and
sanitation in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
Respondents of the Study
The respondents of the study are the
local fish vendors of Dagupan City
Magsaysay public market who either owns
and/ or manage in the selling and handling
of fish.
 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019

Research Instrument facilities in Magsaysay Public Market are

also observed.
The researchers will use a criteria
for evaluating the sanitation on fish
handling practices and to identify the
benefits on the sanitation procedure by the
fish vendors in Dagupan City. The said
criteria determined the awareness of the
fish vendors on the fish handling practices
and sanitation in terms of market floor,
waste water, preserved fish temperature,
sorting of fish, and the containers used by
the fish vendors. Figure 1. From the total of 50 respondents,
52% said that the market floor is sometimes
Data Source Gathering
slippery with a total number of 26 while 4%
The researchers selected the said never, and 44% said always.
participants who will give sufficient
background information to the study
through interviews to gather data.
Next is to conduct a survey. The
researchers conducted the survey and used
a questionnaire in order to obtain a copy of
the conversation for references and to note
and list information regarding about the
study. Transcribing and analyzing the data.
The gathered data together with the Figure 2. From the total of 50 respondents,
interview findings were then carefully 74% said that the market floor is sometimes
analyzed, and interpreted in order for the covered with mud with a total number of 37
similarities and differences of the data to be while 8% said never, and 18% said always.
determined and was well constructed in
order for the researchers to ‘take hold’ of
the defined data without the need to worry
about contamination of the listing with
incorrect information.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the study are based on
the respondents from Magsaysay Public
Market in Dagupan City. The local fish
Figure 3. From the total of 50 respondents,
consumers and fish vendors were the
92% said that the market floor is always wet
subject of the study with a total number of
with a total number of 46 while 8% said
50 respondents. The perception of the
sometimes with a total number of 4.
consumers and vendors regarding the
market were determined by their
observation on the market floor, appearance
of the fish, way of sorting the fish and the
containers used in storing the fish. The
condition of the drainage and washing

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 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019
Figure 4. From the total of 50 respondents,
68% said that sometimes there are animals
strolling inside the market with a count of
34 respondents while 10% said always, and
22% said never.
Figure 5. From the total of 50 respondents,
78% said that the fishes always have clear
eyes with a count of 39 respondents while
22% said sometimes.
Figure 6. From the total of 50 respondents,
82% said that the gills of the fishes are
always red with a count of 41 respondents
while 8% said never, and 10% said
sometimes.
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Figure 7. From the total of 50 respondents,
94% said that the fishes were always
arranged according to their kind while 6%
said sometimes with a count of 3
respondents.
Figure 8. From the total of 50 respondents,
82% said that the fishes were never
arranged randomly with a count of 41
respondents while 16% said sometimes,
and 2% said always.
Figure 9. From the total of 50 respondents,
58% said that ice boxes were always used
in storing the fishes while 42% said
sometimes.
 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019
Figure 10. From the total of 50
respondents, 90% said that fish tubs were
always used in storing the fishes with a total
number of 45 while 10% said sometimes.
Figure 11. From the total of 50
respondents, 54% said that the drainage is
sometimes capable of sustaining the flood
waters with a total number of 27 while 32%
said never, and 14% said always.
Figure 12. From the total of 50
respondents, 78% said that the public
market is always prone to flooding
whenever it rains with a total number of 39
while 22% said sometimes.
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Figure 13. From the total of 50
respondents, 78% said that the drainage
always contain market wastes and garbage
with a count of 39 while 22% said
sometimes.
Figure 14. From the total of 50
respondents, 78% said that the drainage
always contain market wastes and garbage
with a count of 39 while 22% said
sometimes.
Figure 15. From the total of 50
respondents, 68% said that sometimes the
public market has adequate amount of
water with a total number of 34 while 24%
said always, and 8% said never.
 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019

Figure 16. From the total of 50

respondents, 76% said that sometimes the
washrooms have enough cleaning products
with a count of 38 while 22% said never,
and 2% said always.
CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Public markets are prone to bacteria
which can cause health-related problems.
That is why the sanitation of the place
should be observed regularly. In addition,
it is necessary for the fish vendors to handle
the fish they sell properly in order to lessen
the risk of consuming bacteria by the
consumers. In a conducted study, fish
vendors used fish tub and ice box to store
the fish. The fishes were also arranged
according to their kind. Additionally, the
fishes are fresh and in good-quality that is
why it is safe to eat. Moreover, the public
market has enough washing facilities which
can help the vendors achieve a sanitary
place. Although the public market is prone
to flooding and the drainage is not that
capable of sustaining the flood waters that
contains market wastes and garbages.
While the market floor is partially wet
which make the floor sometimes slippery,
covered with mud, and sometimes there are
animals seen strolling in the market. It is
recommended that the local government
should take a plan regarding the drainage
system of Magsaysay public market in
Dagupan City for further cleanliness of the
place. This study is limited. This study does
not guarantee the current condition of the
said public market. Anytime the
observations regarding the condition of
Magsaysay public market can be changed.

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 Practical Research I, STEM B (Banyuhay), Group 9, January 2019
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Date Accessed: 28 September 2018
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Date Accessed: 16 October 2018
9
 Philippine Statistics Authority. (2018).
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Dagupan City: The Home of the
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Date Accessed: 20 October 2018
 Sato, A., Matsumoto, K., Kawata, T.
(2010). General hygiene Measures in
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