No need to import fish: local fishers

Despite the billions of pesos lost by the agriculture sector from the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm "Paeng", agriculture stakeholders gave the assurance that local fish supply remains stable.

Taal Lake Aquaculture Alliance Inc. director Engr. Mario Balazon said on Wednesday that there is no need "to flood the local market with imported fish" as Filipino fishers can still supply the aquaculture requirements of the country.

"We want the government to know that our industry remains resilient regardless of the strong winds, rain, and flooding. Despite Typhoon 'Paeng' affecting many fish producers, it did not hinder our production," Balazon said in a press statement.

Based on the assessment of the TLAAI, the loss in aquaculture in Talisay, Batangas due to the severe storm was estimated at P22 million.

However, Balazon said local fishers can still supply the whole country without importing fish.

"Don't use this calamity as a reason to justify importation. Support our local producers first before turning to other countries for fish. Approximately 200 tons of fish escaped the cages. In Calauan, Laguna, the supply of fingerlings was washed out. But we are confident that in three months we will be able to re-stock again and rest assured that this will not affect the supply of tilapia," he said.

Highly adaptable

According to Asis Perez, convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan and former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director, Filipino fishers are highly adaptable to typhoons.

"While we are one in the call for immediate government action in providing the necessary support for the local fisheries industry, we are also expressing that Filipinos — no matter the predicament — are inherently fighters," Perez said.

"The effect of Typhoon 'Paeng' is just one of the many bouts that can be surmounted with our own hands," he added.

The Department of Agriculture estimated that the damage and losses of the sector had reached P2.86 billion as of Thursday afternoon — 80,295 farmers and fishers were affected and 86,574 hectares of farmlands with a combined volume of production loss of 116,291 metric tons were devastated.

The agency said the fisheries sub-sector sustained P201.73 million worth of losses, which mainly damaged fish ponds and cages, seaweed farms, non-motorized boats, and municipal fishing boats.