By Cielito M. Reganit
Fishermen on a small boat sail through rough waves caused by Typhoon Ineng, at Manila Bay, Thursday. Typhoon Ineng on Thursday packed maximum sustained winds of 180kph near the center with gusts of up to 215kph as it moves closer to extreme northern Luzon, PAGASA said. (MNS photo)
MANILA (PNA) – Following the favorable ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the West Philippine Sea, a Partylist lawmaker has filed a bill that will establish the country’s very own Department of Ocean, Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources (DOFAR) to protect and manage the country’s vast marine resources.
In filing HB 1612, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Tom Villarin said the vastness of Philippine territorial waters, which cover 2.2 million square kilometers and 18,000 kilometers of coastline, has made it highly challenging for many previous administrations to protect, manage, and harness the country’s marine and aquatic resources to yield equitable gains, particularly for the fisherfolks.
“Our fisherfolk are among the most vulnerable sectors in our society but they will also benefit the most from the PCA award. We should seize this opportunity and enable our fisherfolk to reap the rewards they long deserve,” he said.
“The establishment of a department that will concentrate solely on the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization, and disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the country would ensure that there is enough fish for succeeding generations to catch, sell, and eat,” Villarin said.
If enacted into law, DOFAR will also supervise and regulate the production and capture of fish and fishery products, as well as the processing and marketing of all fisheries and aquatic products in the country, while allowing local government units to manage their municipal waters in accordance with existing policies.
Another feature of the department is its power to rationalize all ocean sector initiatives such as marine energy exploration and development; coastal and marine tourism; designation of shipping lanes; protected areas; and marine industry development areas.
“Our immense marine and aquatic resources demand a great deal of attention and focus that this bill seeks to offer. With a department that will concentrate solely on this matter, we are optimistic that the current and future administrations will put what is rightfully ours to the best use,” the lawmaker stressed.
“Our country can go far with DOFAR,” Villarin said.