The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has ordered an investigation into the sale of imported fish like pink salmon and “pampano” in the wet markets despite a 1999 order issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that regulates their sale.
Under Administrative Order No. 195 issued by the BFAR in 1999, the sale of fish like pink salmon and “pompano” is limited to big companies, hotels, and restaurants.
The BFAR order was meant to protect Filipino fishermen.
In an order issued last Nov. 25, Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires ordered a probe in the delayed implementation of BFAR’s AO No. 195.
In an order issued to OMB investigators, Martires said:
“You are hereby ordered to conduct an investigation on why the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources only implemented recently Fisheries Administrative Order No. 195, as amended, despite its anomalies that attended and/or resulted because of this recent implementation by the BFAR of Order No. 195, as amended,” it said.
“You shall order the BFAR concerned official/s to submit their sworn comment on the subject matter within three calendar days from receipt of your order,” it added.
In implementing its 1999 order, the BFAR gave vendors in the wet market to sell the imported fish until Dec. 3 or it will start confiscating them.
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