The DA noted there are valid reasons to secure the additional volume of fish via the certificate of necessity to import (CNI). The DA chief commented in light of the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFRMC) stating that the country has “more than enough supply.”
“NFARMC is a body that has their recommendatory responsibility. But at the end of the day, we take responsibility in terms of ensuring food security, in this case, fish supply,” said Dar during a public press briefing.
NFRMC is the highest policy-making body in the fishing sector.
Citing data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Dar said the country has a potential deficit of about 119,000 MT this quarter.
He added that the damage caused by “Odette” to the fishing sector also calls for more supply of fish.
“There is Typhoon Odette so we cannot just say that the fishing sector continues to be normal. They are the number one in the subsector of agriculture that was badly hit,” said Dar.
Data from DA showed that the estimated amount of damage to the fishing industry is at P3.97 billion.
Dar pointed out that the importation of fish would also help prevent price increase.
“You continue to see inflation, high prices in most of the market for fish. Pangalawa ito sa pork na nagbibigay ng higher contribution sa food inflation (It’s second to pork which contributes to the food inflation),” said Dar.
Inflation stood at 3.6% last December as prices of basic goods went up, primarily driven by food and transport costs.
Under Fisheries Administrative Order No. 259, the DA may issue a CNI during closed and off-fishing season and when there are calamities.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 18)— Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar announced Tuesday that he has already signed yesterday the certificate that will lead to the importation of 60,000 metric tons (MT) of small pelagic fish for the year’s first quarter.
