Benhur finds ally in pushing for a separate fisheries dept

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon has found an ally in the Senate in pushing for the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources separate from the Department of Agriculture.

Senator Loren Legarda reportedly assured Salimbangon of a counterpart bill in the next Congress after the latter failed on this proposal that he has been pushing since the 15th Congress.

Salimbangon, chairperson of the House Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, were among the guests during the First National Fisheries Industry Summit at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City last Wednesday.

 “Pasalamat ko nga iya g’yud gi-mention didto nga mo-file siya og bill kay wa g’yud sukad pa sa una,” Salimbangon said.

During the said summit, the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan for 2016-2020 was launched.

“Thus, I wish to highlight the importance of the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan for 2016-2020 and express my support to the programs of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). This national fisheries plan should be able to uplift the fisheries sector through innovative and sustainable practices covering the four major fisheries sectors—capture fishing, aquaculture, post-harvest and marketing,” said Legarda in her speech.

The European Union had reportedly threatened to ban marine products from the Philippines unless amendments are made to the country’s Fisheries Code.

Among the amendments that the EU required of the Philippines is the creation of the DFAR, which is presently a bureau under the DA.

Salimbangon’s committee in previous Congresses had conducted public hearings on consolidated bills seeking for the creation of the separate department in lieu of BFAR that was reconstituted by Republic Act 8550. However, these failed to reach the Senate.

In 2011, Salimbangon refiled House Bill 2313 that seeks to strengthen BFAR and to amend RA 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

House Bill 2313 seeks to further strengthen BFAR by upgrading the bureau director and assistant directors to the ranks of undersecretary and assistant secretary, respectively.  (FREEMAN)