Roxas: High-interest loans among reasons why fishermen are poor

Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Sunday cited high interest loans as reason why fishermen are among the poorest people in the country.

"Para sa ating mga mangingisda, ang pinakamahalaga ay ang murang pautang. Nauubos ang kanilang kapital, ang kanilang kinikita sa kakabayad ng interes, amortisasyon sa kanilang inuutang," the administration standard bearer said during the first installation of the "PiliPinas Debates 2016."

"Hindi pa nga sila napapalaot, inuutang na nila ang kanilang huhulihin. Kaya murang pautang ang isa sa mga pinakasusi para sa kanilang kaginhawaan," he added.

Aside from offering low-interest loans, Roxas said it would also be wise to invest in new technology such as fish finders, post-catch facilities and infrastructure to help fishermen improve their livelihood.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was tasked to counter Roxas’ statements, agreed with him instead. He, however, asked how will the next president avoid incompetence and corruption in implementing the programs.

“Nasa sentro ng Daang Matuwid. Nasa sentro ng diwa ng pagkatao ni Mar Roxas iyong anti-corruption. Sa mahigit na 20 taong panungkulan, kahit minsan, hindi nabahiran ang ating pangalan ng kahit anong anomalya. Ako, galit sa mga corrupt. At hindi ko papayagan na magkaroon ng corruption sa aking panunungkulan,” Roxas replied. —KBK, GMA News