MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Prohibiting small fish vendors from selling salmon and pompano is 鈥渁nti-poor,鈥� Senator Raffy Tulfo said on Tuesday.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) earlier said that selling the fish in wet markets and grocery stores is restricted under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 195, which has been there for over two decades.
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Salmon and pompano, however, may be consumed in hotels and restaurants only, said BFAR.
鈥淢arami ang nagulat nang lumabas sa balita na pinagbabawal na ng BFAR ang pagtinda sa merkado ng salmon at pampano,鈥� Tulfo said in his privilege speech during the plenary session.
(Many were surprised when news came out that BFAR does not allow the sale of salmon and pompano in markets.)
He added that both sellers and consumers are affected by the sale ban.
鈥淢abenta ang salmon at pampano dahil bukod sa malasa na ito, abot-kaya pa sa mga mamimili. Kaya naman nangamba ang mga maliliit at kawawang mga tindera na umaasa sana sa pagkakakitaan nila sa pagtitinda ng mga isda na ito,鈥� said Tulfo.
(Salmon and pompano are popular because aside from their tastiness, they are also affordable. That鈥檚 why small fish vendors are anxious since they rely on their earnings from these fish.)
鈥淣abigla rin ang mga mamimili na nais makapaghain ng mga pagkaing ito sa Pasko鈥� Ang mga mayayaman na lang na may perang makakain sa mga hotel at restaurant ang pwede lang makakain ng mga isda na 鈥榯o or kung gusto mo makakain nito, 鈥榶ung mga delata na lang ang pwede mong bilhin. This is anti-poor,鈥� he continued.
(Consumers who want to serve these fish for Christmas were also surprised鈥� Only rich people who can afford hotels and restaurants can eat these fish. If you want to eat it, you can buy it in cans. This is anti-poor.)
Tulfo asked the basis of BFAR鈥檚 actions and cited the administrative order.
鈥淎ccording to FAO 195, the importation of fish and fishery products shall be allowed only when certified as necessary by the Secretary in order to achieve food security taking into consideration public welfare and safety, in consultation with the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council,鈥� he said.
鈥淧ero may exception po na nilagay ang (But an exception was provided by) BFAR sa (in) FAO 195: The importation of fresh/chilled/frozen fish and fishery products for canning and processing purposes including importation undertaken by institutional buyers does not require such certification,鈥� he went on.
Tulfo pointed out that the regulation and campaign should be conducted in ports, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs.
He further asked why the selling of salmon and pompano will be stopped and not other imported fishes.
鈥淚s someone trying to boost the sale of other imported fish na 鈥榙i na mabenta (won鈥檛 sell)?鈥� the senator raised.
Senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, quizzed if it is time to overhaul BFAR, to which Tulfo agreed.
鈥淭ama po kayo, Senator Tolentino. Pagsisibakin na siguro 鈥榶ung mga tao diyan sa BFAR,鈥� the sponsor said.
(You are right, Senator Tolentino. BFAR officials should be removed.)
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, on the other hand, asked BFAR to submit an explanation on the 22-year delayed implementation and rationale of the ban.
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