BFAR says confidential funds to boost its WPS surveillance
By Jel Santos
The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said confidential funds will improve its monitoring, control, and surveillance efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and other fishing grounds across the country.
BFAR is one of the agencies that lawmakers wanted to be given with confidential funds amid the controversies brought by their allocation to government agencies that are not involved in security matters.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Oct. 3, DA-BFAR National Director Demosthenes R. Escoto said providing their agency confidential funds will ensure the sustainable use of the country’s marine resources and safeguard the livelihoods of local fisherfolk.
“We want to ensure they can fish peacefully, productively, and sustainably in our waters, especially in the WPS, which rightfully belongs to Filipinos," he said.
Escoto expressed gratitude to lawmakers advocating additional funds for the DA-BFAR, acknowledging their vital role, adding that it is up to the Congress if they would push the matter.
"We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the members of Congress advocating additional funds to DA-BFAR and other security agencies," the DA-BFAR director said.
“The DA-BFAR respects the wisdom of our lawmakers in determining the need for budget augmentation," he added.
According to DA-BAFR, it has been actively combating illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, a persistent threat in Philippine waters.
“The agency employs floating assets to monitor unlawful fishing activities and conducts resupply missions in collaboration with government agencies, particularly the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),” it stated.
“These missions provide essentials such as engine oil, drinking water, and ready-to-eat snacks to Filipino fisherfolk engaged in fishing activities in the WPS.”
On Sept. 22, PCG and BFAR personnel aboard BRP Datu Bankaw discovered a floating barrier installed by the China Coast Guard during a routine maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, the old name of Panatag also known as Scarborough Shoal.