THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P6.037 billion for the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) 2024 budget to support the country’s fisheries sector.
“Our shores are more than mere lines on the map. It is among the
driving forces of our nation. Enhancing and maintaining strategic and globally competitive fish ports would allow our ships and crews access to essential supplies and services, and for vessel operators to
successfully bring in their catches, safeguarding the livelihood of our fishermen,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
Data from the World Bank revealed that the fisheries contribute 1.3 percent to the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) and roughly 1.6 million jobs or around four percent of the national labor force, which included low-income families engaged in subsistence fishing.
Representing Congress-Introduced changes in appropriations, P1.1 billion will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of fish ports and other fishery post-harvest facilities in the country.
The PFDA sustains the operation of the nine regional fish ports particularly those in Navotas, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Camaligan, Lucena, Sual, Davao, General Santos, and Bulan. It likewise jointly manages the Tacloban Fish Port with the local government unit. The PFDA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, was created to promote the development of the fishing industry through the provision of post-harvest infrastructure facilities and essential
services that improve efficiency in the handling and distribution of
fish and fishery products and enhance their quality.