An opposition lawmaker on Thursday called on the government to develop the fishing industry and at the same time assert its ownership of the seas on its exclusive economic zone by providing fishermen with bigger boats that are capable of operating on the high seas.
“Fishing groups in Zambales have approached me, saying that the boats they received from the government are not sturdy enough to withstand heavier waves on the high seas. This affects the amount and quality of the fish they are able to harvest—leading to a crippling of their livelihood,” Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, a former Navy officer, said.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, Alejano said the fishing industry has registered among the sectors with the highest poverty incidence. The sector was poorest in 2006, 2009, and 2012, and second-poorest in 2015.
Alejano pointed out the irony of the situation, saying, “because of the limitations in the quality of equipment, our own people can only fish near municipal waters, while they watch bigger Chinese ships illegally harvest fish in farther parts of the Philippine’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”
To address the problem, Alejano appealed to the government to provide small-scale fishermen with boats that are capable of sailing on deeper waters, where there is an abundance of marine resources.
Alejano added that presence of Filipino fishermen in high seas could be considered as a “force multiplier.”
“Seeing [Filipino] civilian boats freely fishing in these waters will reinforce the image of control the Philippines has. Their presence would help bolster our claims in disputed areas,” he said.
Alejano also said: “We have a responsibility to these people. Part of safeguarding our waters entails ensuring the continuing livelihood of our fisherfolk in conflicted areas.”