GROUP OPPOSES GOV'T DECISION TO IMPORT FISH

A fisherfolk group on Saturday expressed opposition to the government's decision to allow the importation of 25,000 metric tons of frozen fish for wet markets.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said the importation would have a negative impact on local fisherfolk.

"Yung apektado ng importation kami eh, yung mga maliliit na mangingisda. Kasi di hamak na mas mura naman talaga yung imported compare mo sa lokal na produkto namin," Hicap said. 

(Those who are affected by the importation are us, the small fishermen. Obviously, the prices of the imported products will be cheaper compared to the local products.)

Hicap made the statement after the Department of Agriculture (DA) issued the Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) under Memorandum Order No. 17 allowing fish importation of frozen small pelagic fish from October 1 to December 31, 2024.

The DA said the move will avoid delays in the importation of fish and stabilize fish prices in the market once the closed fishing season begins.

“Makakatulong ito para mag-stabilize ang presyo kapag panahong closed fishing season dahil alam naman natin na talaga magkakaroon ng gap sa supply gawa ng sarado ang ating mga pangunahing fishing grounds,” said DA spokesperson Nazzer Briguera. 

(This will help to stabilize the price during the closed fishing season because we know that there will be a gap in supply due to the closure of our main fishing grounds.)

Hicap, however, believes otherwise. 

"Hindi din nagsstabilize ang presyo, kasi ang nagtatakda ng presyo yung mga traders eh," he said. 

(The price won't stabilize either, because the traders are the ones who will set the price.)

PAMALAKAYA's president said the government should look into other possible ways to address the expected shortage of supply during the closed fishing season instead of allowing importation.

"'Yung lokal na produkto natin puwede yan i-preserve sa panahon na habang madami pa tayong huli ngayon ay nagppreserve na tayo... Kailangan talaga meron tayong post-harvest facility para makapag stock tayo ng produkto ng isda," emphasized Hicap. 

(Our local products can be preserved at a time when we still have a lot of supply. We should preserve them during those times. What we need is a post-harvest facility so that we can stock fish products.)

BFAR previously countered the groups opposing importation.

“Kapag panahon ng closed fishing season, unang-una ang municipal fisherfolk naman, they can still go fishing. Ang prohibited lang naman mangisda kapag panahong closed fishing ay yung ating mga commercial fishing vessel operator,” said Briguera.

(When it's closed fishing season, fishermen can still go fishing. The only ones prohibited from fishing during closed fishing are our commercial fishing vessel operators.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News

 

This article Group opposes gov't decision to import fish was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-04-27T05:00:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd