A party-list lawmaker on Monday batted for a fisheries code that will empower the fishing industry and its players to generate employment and contribute to national economic development and food security.
AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee made the call during the 6th National Sardines Congress in Zamboanga City where he was the keynote speaker.
Organized by the Southern Philippines (SOPHIL) Deep Sea Fishing Association, Inc., the delegates tackled latest developments in the sardines industry, as well as the major issues confronting their trade.
Lee stressed that the fishing industry should welcome the appointment of a Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary who is from the fisheries sector, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
He said: “For the first time, the country has a DA Secretary who comes from the fishing industry.”
“The knowledge and experience he has in growing his company should be a great asset for the department, one that the fishing industry can tap,” said the Bicolano lawmaker, who was also a businessman before entering politics.
Prior to being appointed Agriculture chief, Laurel was the president of the Frabelle Fishing Corp., a company that grew from small trawl fishing into one of the biggest deep-sea fishing enterprises in the region. Maricel V. Cruz
Lee revealed that he is open to creating a fisheries agency separate from the DA so that “it can really focus on maximizing the potential of our fisherfolk and our fishing companies.”
“But before we do that, we must first consider revisiting our fisheries code so that it can empower the industry’s stakeholders,” he said.
“We will consult industry leaders, fisherfolk from non-government organizations– everyone who can contribute to a well-crafted fisheries code,” he added.