Department of Agriculture (DA) William Dar defended the decision to import 60,000 metric tons (MT) of galunggong, saying the devastation caused by typhoon "Odette" has affected the production of fish products in the country.
While he said that the aquaculture sector provides more than 50 percent of the required fish supplies, he said it is insufficient to cover the supply deficiency.
The Certificate of Necessity (CNI) to import 60,000 MT of fish was approved due to the damages Typhoon Odette caused in the fisheries subsector," said Dar.
DA was criticized for its decision to import galunggong.
In a statement on Jan. 19, Partido Reporma Chairman and presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that the department’s decision to import fishes such as galunggong and mackerel will kill the country’s fishermen.
"Import pa more! After killing our farmers by importing vegetables and fruits, it is the turn of our fishermen to die," Lacson lamented on his Twitter account last Wednesday.
The following day, Sen. Imee Marcos called out the DA for conjuring a “fake shortage” to justify the fish importation. Likewise, Marcos also said that the move will kill local fisheries.
"We have enough fish from stocks unsold in 2021 and yet to be delivered until March. The closed fishing season is also about to end," she said.
On the other hand, Sen. Francis Pangilinan also questioned the move saying that the country is rich in aquaculture. Instead of importing more fish, he encouraged the department to aid fishers through programs that would help them increase their production.
"Suportahan naman natin ang ating maliliit na mangingisda para naman ganahan silang paramihin pa ang kanilang produksyon ng isda. Isa sila sa mga nagsisigurado na may makakain tayo (Let’s support our fishermen and help them be inspired to increase their production. They make sure that we have somet). Let's return the favor to them by putting in place programs that will aid them in their livelihood," he said.