Press Release
April 26, 2016

PROTECTION, CONSERVATION OF PH WATERS PRIORITY OF 'GOBYERNONG MAY PUSO'--POE

Independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe expressed all-out support to the small fisherfolk and vowed to put the protection and conservation of Philippine seas high on the agenda of her "Gobyernong may Puso."

"The integrity, protection, rehabilitation, and conservation of Philippine seas would be my priority. Sama-sama nating pangalagaan at pagyamanin ang mga ekosistemang tirahan ng mga isda na ngayon ay nasa panganib dahil sa 'di wastong paraan ng pangingisda," Poe said.

The senator pointed out that poor government support, which is evident in weak infrastructures, has resulted in post-harvest losses of up to 25 percent of total fish catch of municipal fisherfolk.

This decline in fish harvest has made the country's 1.4 million fishermen among the poorest in the country, with 39 percent living below the poverty line, much higher than the national average of 26 percent.

Last Sunday, some 30 fishermen leaders sailed the Fisherfolk Flotilla from Pogaro-Dagupan River to Talab-Dagupan Rover in Pangasinan.

"Dapat lamang po na kayo ay makatanggap ng pinakamataas na antas ng suporta mula sa gobyerno upang higit na maitaguyod ang ating hangarin para sa isang malusog at malakas na mamayang Pilipino," Poe said in support of the fisherfolk.

"Palalakasin natin ang suportang pinansyal, teknikal, at kagamitan na ibinibigay. Community fish landing centers, fishing gear at paraphernalia, at kaalaman sa modernong fish processing technology ang ilan lamang sa mga ito," she said.

Poe called for the strong enforcement of the Amended Fisheries Code and modernization of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to combat illegal fishing operations, especially in municipal waters.

Data from BFAR show that almost 10,000 incidents of dynamite fishing are still recorded every day. Of the Philippines' 13 fishing grounds, 10 are heavily exploited.

Under Poe's "Gobyernong May Puso," educationn and training programs will also include women who usually process and sell fish products.

"Tayo ay isang kapuluan na mas maraming tubig kaysa lupa. Kaya hindi katanggap-tanggap na kayong mga mangingisda ang nananatiling pinakamahirap sa atin," Poe said. "Sama-sama nating itransporma ang industriya para mapalakas ang ating mga mangingisda at maprotektahan sa kawalang kasiguruhan at kapahamakan.

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