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ALAN CAYETANO: CREATE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

In a renewed bid to harness the country’s vast marine potential, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is once again championing the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (DFAR) — a specialized agency focused solely on the development, management, and protection of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.

“The Philippines, being an archipelago with very rich marine resources, can be a marine powerhouse,” Cayetano said in the DFAR Act (Senate Bill No. 417)’s explanatory note which he refiled recently.

“It is logical to establish a department that is focused and accountable for the development, management, and conservation of our country’s aquatic resources and fishing industries.”

“Thus, it is logical to establish a department that is focused and accountable for the development, management, and conservation of our country’s aquatic resources and fishing industries,” the veteran legislator added.

The seasoned lawmaker emphasized the Philippines’ position as one of the world’s top producers of fish and aquatic plants, citing its over 2.2 million square kilometers of territorial waters and 2.29 million registered fisherfolk. Yet despite their vital contribution to the economy, he lamented the fact that Filipino fisherfolk remain among the country’s poorest sectors.

The senator said the DFAR Act aims to close this disparity by providing focused leadership, targeted support, and sustainable policies for the industry.

Separate from the Department of Agriculture, the new agency will serve as the primary regulatory and policy-making body for fisheries and aquatic resources. It will prioritize small-scale fisherfolk, providing them with technical and financial support while safeguarding their rights to marine resources.

“It is time that the government provides for a focused, single-minded, specialized department responsive to the needs and concerns of the fisheries and aquatic resource industry.”

“While we have very good people in the Department of Agriculture, the Department’s priority is more on farming on land. It is time that the government provides for a focused, single-minded, specialized department responsive to the needs and concerns of the fisheries and aquatic resource industry,” he explained.

A key focus of the bill is on curbing illegal fishing through advanced monitoring systems, stricter regulations, and partnerships with non-government organizations. The measure also promotes research and innovation to ensure science-based policies for aquaculture, marine conservation, and responsible fishing practices.

The DFAR will also streamline existing functions from agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s marine programs. This streamlining aims to improve efficiency, reduce overlaps, and strengthen enforcement.

With P5 billion in initial funding, the DFAR is envisioned to enhance fisheries productivity, protect endangered species, and improve fisherfolk livelihoods.

Cayetano, who had filed the bill in the 17th, 18th, 19th, and now the 20th Congress, underscored its importance in enhancing food security, protecting marine ecosystems, and supporting millions who rely on the sea for their livelihood.

“This will be a significant step in order to better protect, utilize, maximize, and conserve the nation’s marine resources as well as uphold the best interest of the fisherfolk,” he concluded.

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