DA extends CNI to continue fish imports
TO augment the fish supply in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended the validity of the Certificate of Necessary to Import (CNI) which will continue importing fish.
DA Secretary William Dar said that the CNI’s validity was extended in view of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) report that the country would have a deficit of 90,000 metric tons (MT) for the rest of the year.
Dar said that at least 38,695 metric tons (MT) will still be allowed to be imported. The figure represents the unused balance of the previous permit for 60,000 MT.
Dar explained that local fish catch and production from marine waters and aquaculture has decreased due to several factors.
Firstly, Dar said that the Palawan commercial fishing groups hardly went out due to high fuel costs – unloadings of “galunggong” or round scad declined considerably.
Secondly, bangus (milkfish) and tilapia prices have increased by at least P20 per kilogram (kg), from P160/kg to P180/kg for bangus, and P120/kg to P140/kg for tilapia.
For galunggong, fresh catch sells for P240/kg, while imported ones retail for P210/kg to P240/kg.
Thirdly, the fish catch would dwindle with the observance of a closed fishing season in Davao.
He reaffirmed that making fisherfolk productive and competitive remains the department’s priority to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fish and shield the local industry from the adverse impact of rising fuel prices and logistics bottlenecks and restrictions due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“Part of our action plan is to enhance fish production in appropriate aquaculture and marine areas, in a sustainable manner. Kaya nagpapadagdag din tayo ng isang bilyong piso (P1 billion) para mas marami tayong maibigay na tulong at proyekto sa ating mga mangingisda upang patuloy na lumaki ang kanilang produksiyon at tumaas ang kanilang kita,” Dar said.
He added that fishers, along with corn farmers, are given discount vouchers worth P3,000 each through the DA’s Fuel Discount Program with a budget of P1.1 billion.
“We need to carefully balance the interest of both producers and consumers,” Dar stressed. By Cory Martinez
