BFAR agrees to look into giving fishermen fuel subsidy

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has agreed to look into the possibility of giving fuel subsidy to fishermen to allow them to expand their fishing activities in the West Philippine Sea.

In an interview on "Dobol B TV" Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (WESCOM) chairman Vice Admiral Ramil Enriquez said Sunday that some fishermen are forced to limit their fishing activities due to short funds for fuel supply.

"Ang ibang fishermen kahit maraming isda medyo alanganin sila dahil gagastos sila ng krudo medyo malayo-layo yung lugar so lugi sa profit. Liliit ang kita nila," he said.

[Some fishermen hesitate to venture into far-off fishing grounds where fish is abundant because of short fuel supply,  limiting profitability.] 

"So nakikita ng BFAR na dapat tulungan ang mangingisda na bigyan ng subsidiya ng krudo," Enriquez pointed out.

(So the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said they are looking at giving crude oil subsidies for fishermen.)

On the rising oil prices, the Department of Energy last week asked Congress to amend the Oil Deregulation Law to allow the government to intervene. 

Aside from the oil subsidy for fishers, Enriquez said they are putting up sheltered ports in the Kalayaan Group of Islands to assist fishermen during inclement weather.

"Nababawasan yung pangamba nila dahil mayroong pwede silungan kung sakaling masama ang panahon," he explained.

(Sheltered ports will diminish their worries because they a place of refuge during stormy weather.)

Asked about Chinese ships' harassment against fishermen, he said they have yet to receive report on the matter.

To date, Enriquez said about 80 to 90% of Filipino fishermen conducting activities off Palawan are from Navotas, Bohol, and Cebu, among others.

Fisherfolk income reduced to P120

In a separate statement, fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said fishermen's average income has been reduced to P120 per fishing trip from P300 due to rising oil prices.

Also, Pamalakaya lamented that the cost of production for small fisherfolk have also swelled to P180 per fishing operation, or a total of P720 additional fuel cost for a week of four fishing trips.

“Sa loob ng isang linggo, P480 o katumbas ng P120 kada araw na lamang ang kinikita ng isang maliit na mangingisda dahil sa tuluy-tuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Abot langit ang pagsirit ng gastos namin sa produksyon habang ang kita ay patuloy ang pagdausdos,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya National Chairperson said.

(In a week,  a fisherman has an income of P470 or P120 per day because of the continued increase of oil prices. The cost of production is too high while profit remains low.) —LBG, GMA News