BFAR guarantees adequate fish supply as Holy Week approaches

DAY’S END As the sun sets in the coastline of Zambales in this photo taken in January 2023, a fisherman prepares to head off to the sea off Barangay San Miguel in San Antonio town. Local fishers go on with their daily routines amid threats of harassment from China’s coast guard watching over their traditional fishing ground in Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. —JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) on Thursday reassured the public of an adequate supply of fish in the market as Holy Week approaches and demand for fish rises.

DA-BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera stated that the agency is confident of sufficient output because the nation’s fishing areas have reopened following a periodic shutdown that allowed fish species to spawn.

“Dahil nasa peak season tayo ngayon ng fishing activity, we expect na kaya nating punan ‘yung supply kahit tumaas ang demand sa Mahal na Araw,” Briguera said in a statement.

(Since we are now in the peak season of fishing activity, we expect that we will be able to fill the supply even if the demand increases during Holy Week.)

However, Briguera stated that the fishing industry continues to face difficulties in fish production due to high fuel prices and post-harvest losses.

“Alam natin na nagfa-fluctuate ang presyo ng petrolyo. Minsan tumataas ito at nagiging dahilan kung bakit nababawasan ang fishing activities kaya ang DA-BFAR ay patuloy na nagsusulong na subsidy program at payao technology lalo na sa small-scale fisherfolk,” Briguera said in a statement.

(We know that the price of petroleum fluctuates. Sometimes it increases and becomes why fishing activities are reduced so, DA-BFAR continues to promote subsidy programs and payao technology, especially to small-scale fisherfolk.)

According to the DA-BFAR, 25 to 40 percent of production spoils result from a lack of post-harvest machinery needed to store fish, such as blast freezers, ice makers, cold storage facilities, and fish landing locations.

However, the DA-BFAR said that interventions are underway. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared that the government would construct 11 additional cold storage facilities in addition to the ones already being built at various ports in General Santos and Cagayan de Oro.

Increasing local fish output and maintaining its safety and quality were among the BFAR’s top priorities this year based on the national plan, which is obligated to carry out the National Fisheries Program and other projects listed under the General Appropriations Act for 2023 with a total budget of more than P6.9 billion. – Kimberly D. Albaño, INQUIRER.net intern

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