Fishers set to incur financial loss over PH’s 25-M kilos fish import
ni Aianna Jennine Goyena
Filled with dismay, local fishermen express opposition to Memorandum Order (MO) No. 17, which recently approved the importation of 25 million kilograms of frozen fish into the country.
Fisherfolk deemed this intervention a threat to their livelihoods as this would lower the prices of their products.
“Malaki ang pinsala ng pagpasok ng imported na isda sa lokal na produksyon dahil hinihila nito pababa ang farm gate price ng produkto ng mga maliliit na mangingisda,” said Fernando Hicap, chairman of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA).
The memorandum, signed last April 23, stipulates issuing a Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) 25 million kilograms of frozen pelagic fish to fill wet markets amid the closed-season fishing ban in the last quarter of the year.
Closing of the fishing season has been mandated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to allot ample time for spawning periods of mature sardines from October to January.
“Makakatulong ito [fish importation] 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 Nazzer Briguera, Department of Agriculture’s spokesperson.
Hicap, however, maintained that the government should make a program instead in response to forecasted shortages. He also stressed alternatives to importation that may be considered to ensure sufficient supply during the said season.
“‘Yung lokal na produkto natin, pwede ‘yan i-preserve sa panahon na habang madami pa tayong huli ngayon ay nagp-preserve na tayo… Kailangan talaga meron tayong post-harvest facility para makapag-stock tayo ng produkto ng isda,” Hicap emphasized.
In addition, the MO mandates that 80% of the maximum importable volume (MIV) or 20 million kilograms be allocated to registered importers from the commercial fishing sector. The remaining 20% will be given to fisheries associations and cooperatives.
MO 17 was signed shortly after the removal of non-tariff barriers on imported agricultural products through Administrative Order (AO) №20.
PAMALAKAYA already vowed collaboration with other organizations to push forward the revocation of AO 20 which they claim will detrimentally impact local agri-fisheries production.
