A fishers group warned of low output in the second half of the year should the government fails to address the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) made the warning after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hoisted an El Niño Alert status from June to August until early 2024.
The group noted that fisherfolk have to spend longer hours in the sea due to the dry spell as fishes and other marine species moved to deeper waters for cooler temperatures. This means additional cost of production, particularly in fuel, it added.
With this, the Pamalakaya called on the government to hasten the distribution of fuel subsidy to fishers.
“Kaya nananawagan kami sa administrasyon ni Marcos Jr. na pabilisin ang pamamahagi ng fuel subsidy sa mga maliliit na mangingisda (That’s why we are calling on the Marcos Administration to hasten the distribution of fuel subsidy to small fishers),” the group said in a statment.
The Pamalakaya said fishers only receive P3,000 fuel subsidy from the government, saying such amount is not enough as petroleum products have already skyrocketed.
“Dapat ay hindi bababa sa P15,000 ang subsidyo sa produksyon na sa pagkuwenta namin ay sasaklaw sa dalawang buwang gastusin para sa langis (Based pn pur calculation, the fuel subsidy for fisherfolk must not be lower than P15,000 for two months),” it said.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) was urged to step up and back the call for the temporary aid for fishers and farmers.
Earlier, the BFAR said that it is preparing for the possible impact of the El Niño phenomenon on the country's food production.
Lawyer Demosthenes R. Escoto, BFAR director, assured the public that the agency’s mitigating measures are in place to boost aquaculture production ahead of El Niño.
“The strategies include intensifying information, education, and communication campaigns among fish farmers; boosting production of fish farming in cages in the mariculture parks; and ensuring sufficiency of fry and fingerlings,” he stated.