File photo shows fishermen unloading their catch at the General Santos City fish port. (ERWIN MASCARIÑAS / INQUIRER)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is eyeing a fishing ban and other restrictions in certain areas to address overfishing and boost the country’s fish population.
Such measures, said Marcos, are part of the government’s plan of securing the country’s fish stocks along with other initiatives for the agriculture sector to ensure food security.
“Kung minsan kailangan ‘wag uubusin ‘yung isda para sa next season mayroon pa. Kaya ‘yun ‘yung tinitignan natin ngayon,” Marcos said in a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office.
(It’s necessary not to deplete the fish stocks for the next season. That’s what we’re currently assessing.)
“At may mga lugar na hindi dapat gawin palaisdaan dahil ito nga ay para sa breeding. Para dumami ang population ng mga isda. Kaya ‘yun ang ating pinaplano,” he added.
(And there are areas not meant for fishing, only for fish breeding to increase the fish population.)
Developing Philippine agriculture, the President explained, not only means securing the supply of rice and corn but also involves improving the aquaculture and livestock sectors.
Aside from the fishing ban, Marcos said the government is already putting up more cold storage facilities to prevent spoilage, as 30 percent of the fish catch are either degraded or damaged.
“Tapos ang isusunod natin after that ay ‘yung processing na para doon lang sa isang lugar ang magiging processing. ‘Yun ang ating mga pinaplano para sa fisheries,” he added.
(Next in line is the processing stage, where processing will be centralized.)