By Alexander Villafania
DAGUPAN CITY, PANGASINAN – Dagupan City is already synonymous to bangus (milkfish). there are only a few places in the city that sell the sought-after fish.
Most tourists would try to find bangus in the supermarkets, but those who are familiar with Dagupan City would know that the best place to visit is the Magsaysay Fish Market.
Tucked away in Magsaysay Road, parallel to A.B. Fernandez Avenue, and just behind the Dagupan City Post Office, the Magsaysay Fish Market is the primary drop off point for all marine catch from the surrounding fish pens and waterways of Dagupan and nearby towns.
It is right beside one of the tributaries of the Pantal River allowing fishermen to have easy access to buyers.
This particular spot has been used by fish merchants for years and is the most favored spot to buy fish and other marine products. Most people who go to the Magsaysay Fish Market are usually other merchants, some of whom also distribute their purchases to other markets, restaurants and food establishments.
However, there are also many private citizens who pass by the Magsaysay Fish Market to buy their seafood ingredients.
The main attraction is the price, fish stocks here cost almost half of what is being sold in regular markets. For instance, a kilo of Bonuan bangus would only cost around P60 here, compared to P120 to P140 outside. Malaga or samaral would only cost P150 a kilo, compared to traditional prices of over P200. Squid, crab, and shrimp also cost about 1/3 less at this market.
Tilapia prices are somewhat the same – about P50 per kilo — as it is not among the more widely farm-produced species of food fish in Dagupan City.
Magsasay also has a thriving bangus deboning business where freshly caught milkfish, notorious for being bony, are immediately processed to make daing na bangus, tinapang bangus, and bangus shanghai.
As early as 3 a.m., this place is already brimming with activity as fishermen bring in their catch. They are given to consignees at the newly built storage facility who will set the prices for their fish. Buyers will bid for the fish stock, which will be eventually packed in ice and sent out by bulk.
Because of the small space of the fish market, traders with big vehicles have to contend with sidewalk fish vendors. While it does look chaotic, most of the veteran traders know and understand that this is normal in their industry.
Despite the hustle and bustle of fish trading in Magsaysay, the Dagupan City administration is strict when it comes safety and cleanliness. Most fishermen, consignees, and vendors are required to have the necessary permits to ply their products to ensure safety of the fish products.
This is also to enforce proper trash disposal of fish byproducts. This explains why the smell in Magsaysay seems much less odious than in other similar places.
Even as it’s not necessarily considered as a tourist destination, the Magsaysay Fish Market is a nice place to visit to know more about Dagupan City’s fish trading industry, as well as to see why Dagupan is considered a favored resource for the best-tasting bangus.
Related stories:
Bonuan ‘bangus’ marks Pangasinan map
Pangasinan’s ‘Pista’y Dayat’ celebrates the bounty of the sea
Why we Pangasinenses celebrate the Bangus Festival
Cavite restaurant offers special ‘bangus sisig’
In Pangasinan, local chefs demo 101 ways to cook bangus
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