Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — A number of senators expressed support on Tuesday to provide an additional budget to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
During the Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing on the BFAR’s proposed ₱7.871 billion budget for 2024, Senator JV Ejercito noted that the agency should procure additional vessels to support local fishermen.
“Very important po iyan. Hindi naman pwedeng hayaan na lang natin ang militia vessels ng China, sila na lang nagte-take advantage sa ating exclusive economic zone,” Ejercito said.
[Translation: That is very important. We can’t just let the militia vessels of China take advantage of our exclusive economic zone.]
BFAR director Demosthenes Escoto said the bureau’s fleet currently comprises of over a hundred multi-mission and patrol vessels.
These include vessels used to provide fuel and other logistics assistance to Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
He said all of BFAR’s monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) vessels are being utilized in patrolling all the coastal areas including the WPS.
But the bureau is asking for funds to purchase at least three new vessels every two years. Each would cost around P150-200 million.
“Considering that these vessels are already old. In fact they were procured more than 15 years ago so while we have this number of vessels, they are not ready for sea. Some are actually being repaired,” Escoto said.
Escoto added that amid the country’s conflict with China in the WPS, Filipino fisherfolk in the areas have decreased.
“We really need to encourage them, empower them, and bring them back to the fishing grounds,” he said.
Senator Koko Pimentel pointed out that the BFAR’s work in the West Philippine Sea is critical in protecting the country’s territory.
“Kung may mga intervention sa budget, itong BFAR should be one of our priorities na dapat tignan,” Pimentel said.
[Translation: If there are interventions in the budget, BFAR should be one of our priorities to look at ]
