Aside from their mis-givings that the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) failed on their expectations to improve milkfish production in the region, local fish producers here particularly the fishpond owners of Iloilo are complaining of the lack of intervention of the government to develop the business. Mr. Pedro Padlan, president of the Iloilo Fish Producers Association, in an interview with the Daily Informer, said he has yet to learn of an instance that the government had extended help to the fish farmers. Padlan agreed with Nonong Gustilo that no direct assistance had been extended by SEAFDEC to the fish producers since they first put up their research stations in the region more than 20 years ago.

Alcalde, R. (1999, August 11). Iloilo fish producers assail gov't neglect: (Second of five parts). Daily Informer, pp. 1, 2.