Despite welcoming the temporary ban of some imported fish, a fisher group is urging the government to make it a permanent prohibition to help struggling fisherfolk in the country.

According to thePambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) must repeal the Fisheries Administrative Order 195, which serves as a legal basis to open our floodgates with imported fish.

“While we welcome the temporary ban of certain imported fish in local wet markets, this should translate into actual policy that will permanently prohibit fish importation. As long as the policies of import-liberalization are in place, our market remains exposed to cheap imported fish at the expense of our local fishing industry," said PAMALAKAYA National Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo.

The group also refuted the claim of importers that suspension of fish importation will further the inflation.

"It is the middlemen system that actually controls the market pricing, not the supply of fish. For instance, the retail price of galunggong is currently at P240/kg, yet its farm gate value remains P120/kg. Because the fish products, before reaching local markets, pass through around three to four private traders who secure profits by marking up, and consequently push the retail prices," Arambulo explained.

The PAMALAKAYA believes that the government’s problem of imported fish entering into wet markets would be solved if there are no importation policies in the first place.

"We reiterate our demand for a significant state support to the local fishing industry in a form of production subsidy and ensuring the exclusive rights of Filipino fisherfolk to our fishing grounds and coastal areas,” the spokesperson maintained.