Rep. Angelo B. Palmones of AGHAM Party-List underscored the importance of giving priority attention to the fishery sector in the country in addressing the officials, teachers, students and other stakeholders of the Cavite State University during its 50th Anniversary Celebration on 15 February 2011 at Bucana, Naic, Cavite.
“The Philippines with its 7,107 islands is blessed with rich fishery resources, and takes pride of having 17,460 km of coastline, and for being the 8th largest fish producer in the world,” Palmones stated.
He said that from the 2008 report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Agricultural Research (BFAR), the country’s major fishery exports included shrimps/prawn, crabs/crab fats, octopus, lapu-lapu, cuttlefish/squid, ornamental fish, round scad and sea cucumber. The top five country destination of these fishery products were USA (25%), Japan (13%), Germany (9.6%), Hongkong (5.4%) and United Kingdom (4.7%).
“Definitely, we are lucky to have this resource to supply the need for food of the country’s increasing population. Fish remains to be the primary source of protein among Filipinos,” said Palmones. “While we enjoy the bounty of the sea, the greater challenge is more of how we can optimize the resource to create employment and generate income for our people,” he added
The AGHAM Party-List which advocates the promotion and utilization of science and technology to economic activities also supports the advancement of the fishery industry. Of the 56 legislative measures which we have already filed, five (5) directly benefit the sector, namely : 1) HB 4085 – An Act Creating the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; 2) HB 4011 – An Act Prescribing the Strengthening of the National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System to Accelerate Agriculture and Fisheries Development; 3) HB 3072 – An Act Establishing the Agri-Kabataan Scholarship for Food Production Program in the Agriculture Curricula of State Universities and Colleges; 4) HB 3382 – An Act to Establish Financial Management Reforms for Government Research and Development Operations; and 5) HB 2861 – An Act Establishing a National Mangrove Conservation and Rehabilitation Program Covering All Identified Mangrove Areas in the Country.
“We have just filed another bill which amended the scope of coverage under the Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to include forestry, livestocks, and fisheries. With insurance support, more investors and entrepreneurs will be encouraged to invest and engaged in business in these sectors, which could translate to more jobs and income for our people,” Palmones explained. Palmones added that what AGHAM needs right now is support to facilitate passage of these bills. (Vicky B. Bartilet, AGHAM)
