Small fishers’ coop proposed
A neophyte solon filed House Bill 1676 or the “Small-Scale Farmers Cooperatives Act” which aims to organize marginal fishermen into cooperatives to help them through gradual small contributions and pool resources to acquire their needed essential tools such as fishing gear and equipment, motorized fishing boats and cold storage.
In light of the projected scarcity in fish supply by the end of the year and amidst the pronouncements on fish importation, Quezon City Rep. PM Vargas, prods for enhanced assistance to the fishing communities across the country.
“The country annually prepares for the declines of the production in the marine capture production and aquaculture sector and as a lawmaker, the best we can do is support the government in ensuring that policies are in place to safeguard the livelihood of our fisherfolks as well as guarantee food safety for the nation,” Vargas said.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources declares that the fish supply shortfall is expected during the fourth quarter of the year with about 57,839 MT deficit in the forecasted supply due to the closed fishing season in some areas of the country.
The bill when passed into law will be an addition to the efforts of the government to aid the fishing industry and the administration’s thrust of ensuring food security and resiliency through improved aquaculture production, provision of livelihood opportunities, and higher income for fisherfolks.
The lawmaker also filed for House bills 8358 or Pensyon Para sa Pilipinong Magsasaka at Mangingisda Act and HB 8931 or Providing Additional Tax Incentives on Gifts and Donations to Accredited Farmers and Fisherfolks Enterprises, both aimed at improving the fisherfolk’s livelihood through enterprise support and development.
The fisheries sector currently accounts for 1.3 percent of the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product and provides approximately 1.6 million jobs (or around 4 percent of the labor force), including for low-income families engaged in subsistence fishing. It also provides over 50 percent of Filipino families’ sources of protein.
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