Philippine fisheries group criticizes govt's "pro-rich" fisheries package
Date: 25-02-2009
Source: Kilusang Mangingisda
Email: fisherfolkmovement@yahoo.com
A national coalition of fisherfolk federations in the Philippines hit out at the government stimulus package in fisheries for being pro-rich and giving only dole-outs to small fishers.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Kilusang Mangingisda (KM) took exception to the stimulus fund to support fish cages for tilapia and bangus and the acquisition of motorized boats for fishing communities.
KM also held a protest rally on Wednesday in front of the offices of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Agriculture on the 11th anniversary of the enactment of the Fisheries Code in 1998. The group held placards demanding support and protection for small fishers and not for the rich.
KM Chair Ruperto Aleroza said that a fish cage takes at least P1million (US$20,720) to operate per production cycle that small fishers cannot afford to pay, while motorized boats will not bring more food or income to their households.
“As it is, the stimulus fund will not benefit small fishers in this time of economic and financial crisis. Motorized boats will only result in more overfishing and dwindling fish stocks due to poor fisheries management in most near-shore fishing grounds. What fishing communities need are livelihood programmes that complement fishing activities while fishery regulations are implemented to allow fishery resources to recover,” he explained. Aleroza noted that funding small-scale sustainable aquaculture and fish processing for fishing communities would be more beneficial.
The group was reacting to Congress’ recent approval of a P1.4-trillion budget for 2009 that includes the P10-billion economic stimulus fund. The Agriculture Department and the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) got P48 billion on top of P2.5 billion from the economic stimulus fund.
The group also called on the government to reverse free trade and investment policies that are resulting in massive conversions of coastal areas to commercial and aquaculture uses and economic dislocation of fishing communities.
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