Magsasaka Partylist Representative Argel Joseph Cabatbat expresses his sentiments regarding the plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to import 60,000 metric tons of pelagic fishes that include mackerel and galunggong.

“We’re a nation surrounded by waters, and yet we need to import fish? Worse than that, we have a shortage? Something’s terribly wrong here,” Cabatbat said, stating the irony in the DA’s plan.

Following the blow of a projected shortage of 119,000 metric tons of the product in the first quarter of the year, the DA issued Administrative Order 01 of 2022 that will allow importers to supply fish in the country.

The agricultural department sees income for the government of P30 million given that qualified importers will be required to buy 1MT at P500 and are also compelled to sell fish at P90 per kilo in designated areas where the DA can keep tabs on prices.

Earlier, both the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council stated that there is no shortage thus there is no need to import, from which Rep. Cabatbat agrees.

“What we have is an oversupply of importers. There are just too many local officials insisting we let these foreign players in to provide Filipino consumers fish, rice, vegetables, and other agricultural products. This is killing local industries!” Cabatbat expressed, emphasizing the need to reach out to Filipino fishermen at present given that damage to fisheries is at P3 billion from typhoon Odette alone.

“Fishermen in the Philippines are already reeling from unfair prices before this devastating typhoon hit. Now, it looks like the government is prioritizing importers over them?” he added.

“What Filipino fishers urgently need are timely and sensitive responses to their plight, financial aid so they can rebuild, and a chance to recoup losses by giving them this opportunity to supply markets. Lift the fish bans. Importation is not a solution. Better management of resources is,” Cabatbat stated.