DA cracks down on illegal importers of galunggong, mackerel, bonito

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued a memorandum order suspending the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances of galunggong or round scad, mackerel, and bonito after receiving reports that these fish imported for canning, processing, or institutional buyers are being diverted to wet markets.

Importation of mackerel for canning purposes, however, may be allowed provided that the volume shall be based on the product sales, subject to value added tax (VAT), from the previous year with additional 10% of the said sales for buffer.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that aside from enforcing these provisions of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 14, series of 2024, the DA will also conduct an investigation on the illegal diversion of fish.

"Yes, definitely. Well, I'm from the industry, as you know. Technical. Alam ko lahat ng kalokohan na nangyayari riyan. And of course, I had to study from December until February kung ano 'yung mga kailangang gawin in order to prevent this. That's why I came up with that DA DAO yesterday," Tiu Laurel told reporters Wednesday in an ambush interview at the sidelines of the Food Security Cluster Communications Workshop 2024 in Nueva Ecija.

(Yes, definitely. Well, I'm from the industry, as you know. Technical. I know all the hanky panky going on there. And of course, I had to study from December until February on the steps needed in order to prevent this. That's why I came up with that DA DAO yesterday.)

Tiu Laurel said his department is in the process of rebuilding its enforcement team.

"The industry naman is helping. The aquaculture industry, fishing, small fishermen, and ano to give us information. We’re monitoring. But the way to deal with this is cancellation nga of galunggong, mackerel, and bonito sa FAO 195 na puwedeng i-import. Kasi 'yun naman ang dina-divert talaga in huge quantities,” he said, referring to Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 195, or the Rules and Regulations Governing Importation of Fresh/ Chilled/ Frozen Fish and Fishery/ Aquatic Products.

(The industry is helping. The aquaculture industry, fishing industry, small fishermen, are all giving us information. We're monitoring. But the way to deal with this under FAO 195 is cancellation of importable galunggong, mackerel, and bonito. These fishes are diverted in huge quantities.)

When asked if the DA will also conduct a crackdown against wet markets, Tiu Laurel replied, "'Yung mga taga-palengke, wala namang kasalanan 'yan. Sa totoo lang. Kasalanan 'yan ng nagpapasok at nagda-divert. Kawawa 'yung maliliit sa palengke. They're just doing their job. They just need income."

(Honestly, the sellers in the markets are innocent. The ones who bring in and divert the fish are the culprits. The wet market sellers are the ones suffering. They're just doing their job. They just need income.)

Tiu Laurel said that 90,000 to 100,000 tons of round scad, mackerel, and bonito are diverted every year.

"Maaapektuhan both fisherfolk and commercial (Both fisherfolk and commercial operators are affected)," Tiu Laurel stressed.

The illegal practice, the Agriculture chief said, has been going on for about a decade.

Tiu Laurel said he timed the issuance of the suspension of import clearances to avoid affecting the prices of fish.

"Yes, there will be effect on prices dapat, but since this is the fishing season… Kaya ginawa ko ngayon 'yan, para hindi maapektuhan masyado 'yung presyo sa merkado dahil fishing season naman ng mga small, municipal, at commercial from March hanggang June 'yan so prices should be stable," he said.

(Yes, there should be effects on prices, but since this is fishing season... that's why I issued the order now to prevent market prices from being affected. It's already fishing season for small, municipal, and commercial fishermen from March until June so prices should be stable.)

Tiu Laurel said the DA has already identified most of the importers involved in the illegal activity but added that it would still conduct an investigation "to be fair to everybody na ayaw naman nating tamaan yung legitimate naman (to be fair to legitimate players whom we do not want to be affected)." — VDV, GMA Integrated News