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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate agri panel starts hearing on bill establishing 41 local marine hatcheries

Senate agri panel starts hearing on bill establishing 41 local marine hatcheries

Published May 30, 2023 04:27 am
The Senate started on Tuesday, May 30, committee hearings on a House of Representatives bill seeking to complete 41 local marine hatcheries of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee, stressed that the aquaculture sector plays "a vital role in ensuring the country's food security, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to foreign exchange earnings." The hearing was held jointly with the Senate agrarian reform committee. "In recent times, aquaculture has experienced substantial growth, surpassing the captured fisheries.  By providing support to the aquaculture industry, will lead to the development of our fisheries industry in general," she added. Before a House Bill establishing a local marine hatchery can be passed, the following submissions are required: (a) a Site Pre-Feasibility Assessment, (b) a comprehensive Feasibility Study Report, (c) a Report on the Tenurial Status of the proposed hatchery location, and (d) titles and documents demonstrating that there are no issues with the Land Tenurial status. Villar emphasized that she has sponsored a total of forty-one (41) laws establishing legislated hatcheries across fifty-seven (57) different sites nationwide.  "During the fiscal year 2023 budget hearings, I took the initiative to advocate for an increased budget of P835 million to be allocated to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). This increased funding is intended to support BFAR in completing all forty-one (41) legislated hatcheries," she said. Villar said the establishment of these local hatcheries in municipalities and other rural areas where small fisherfolks resides are very important.  "It is used to locally produce fingerling to be given to small fisherfolks. It is also necessary for the propagation of the certain marine species to address the country’s dependence on imported fingerlings, like Bangus, Tilapia, Mangrove Crabs, Pampano, Shrimp, Lapu-lapu, Dangit and other high value marine species. It will provide seeds to be utilized for aquaculture," she pointed out. According to the latest report of the Philippines Statistics Authority, in 2022, aquaculture contributed 2.246 Million Metric Tons out of 4.248 million metric tons (MT) total fishery production or 54.15 percent. For the first quarter of 2023, the contribution of aquaculture further increased to 55 percent, or 545,640 MT out of the 991,140 MT total fishery production.  "Given this, it is critical for the Government to give importance to the industry of aquaculture farming, and the House Bills, which intends for the establishment of hatcheries in several municipalities and provinces,’’ Villa said. The lady lawmaker reminded authors and sponsors of these House bills about the significance of submitting the required reports and documents.  "Please note that the House Bills lacking the necessary requirements will not be included in the committee report to be issued by this committee,’’ Villar said. However, this does not preclude you from making future submissions in compliance with the requirements, she added.  

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marine hatcheries House of Represntatives sen cynthia villar PH agriculture
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