STAND FOR TRUTH

Fishers deal with lower fish prices amid imports feared caught in Philippine waters

Philippine government over the past months imported more than 100,000 metric tons of fish due to the dwindling catch of local fishermen.

According to Lilian Tiburcio's report on Stand for Truth, the market had been 190,000 metric tons short of the required required fish catch.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, however, said that some of the fish bought from other countries might have come from Philippine waters.

The Department of Agriculture raised the issue of poachers in the West Philippine Sea. 

"West Philippine Sea is a traditional fishing grounds natin. And beyond that, may mga isda din na archipelagic dun, e. Shared stock natin 'yan with Vietnam, Malaysia, with China. So maaring yung ibang ini-import natin ay galing rin sa 'tin," Director Eduardo Gongona said.

"Ang kailangan natin, hulihin natin 'yung isda na 'yun kasi kung hindi natin gagawin 'yun talagang mangyayari 'yun. Yung ini-import natin 'yung isda na galing din sa 'tin," he added.

Fishermen said there was no need to import fish from other countries.

They lamented the lower prices caused by the imports in the market.

"Kami 'yung naghirap sa ano, dapat hindi nila kami ipitin sa presyo," one fisherman said.

"Ang puhunan namin du'n 'yung buhay namin 'pag punta namin ng laot," he added. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News