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NI ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
PARA kay Kabayan partylist Rep. Ron Salo, isang malaking hakbang para sa ibayong pagpapaunlad sa sektor ng pangingisda ang pag-apruba sa House joint-committee sa panukalang pagtatatag ng Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR).
Sa isang pahayag, pinuri at pinasalamatan ni Salo ang Technical Working Group, sa pangunguna ni General Santos City Rep. Loreto Acharon, at mga kinatawan mula sa iba’t-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan sa ipinamalas na dedikasyon sa “consolidation and revision” sa dalawang panukalang batas na naglalayong lumikha ng kagawaran para isulong ang interes ng mga mangingisda at yamang-dagat sa bansa.
“The DFAR is a game-changer for the 2.5 million Filipinos directly employed in the fisheries sector. By strengthening the industry, this bill not only uplifts the lives of our fisherfolk but also secures a vital pillar of our national food security,” ayon kay Salo na punong may-akda.
“This transformative legislation addresses the challenges facing the fisheries industry, which employs over 2.5 million Filipinos and provides sustenance to more than 80 million citizens. The Philippines is currently the 8th largest fish producer globally with a 2023 output of 4.26 million metric tons. The bill aims to address challenges which include overfishing, habitat degradation, and a poverty rate of 30.6% among fisherfolk, nearly double the national average, underscoring the need for targeted interventions,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang nasabing panukala ay magkatuwang na tinalakay ng Committee on Government Reorganization at Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Tiwala si Salo na sa pamamagitan ng isang ahensyang tututok sa fisheries sector ay mas mabubuksan ang malaking potensyal sa tinaguriang “Blue Economy” na tinatayang mag-aambag ng hanggang P75-trillion sa ekonomiya ng bansa.
“This bill is a decisive step toward securing livelihoods, conserving our marine ecosystems, and building a thriving, sustainable fisheries sector. It represents our commitment in uplifting fisherfolk, ensuring food security, and spurring economic growth for the benefit of all Filipinos,” sabi pa ng Kabayan partylist solon.
“The creation of the DFAR is a commitment to the future of our fisherfolk and the sustainability of our marine resources. Let us work together to secure a sustainable and inclusive future for our fisheries sector, our economy, and our people.”
