In a statement, BFAR National Director and Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez said the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan 2016-2020 would help create a more globally competitive Philippine fisheries sector in the next five years, reports the ManilaTimes.
“With a plan crafted by the stakeholders for the fisheries industry through participatory approach,” Mr Perez said, adding that the master plan will help promote optimal development and long-term sustainability of the fisheries and aquatic resources.
The agency is set to launch the development plan during the first National Fisheries Industry Summit at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City, back to back with the National Bangus Congress.
The government envisions the five-year fisheries industry plan to be “a product of consensus-building via three-part series of fisheries stakeholders’ workshops in capture fisheries, aquaculture, post-harvest and, marketing subsectors.”
With the inclusive plan, BFAR got a higher budget of P6.7 billion this year from last year’s P6.3 billion.
Perez said the funds would be for tailor-fitted livelihood programs and projects for the fisheries sector.
“On top of the priority projects for this year is the completion of more than 500 Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs) in strategic coastal communities to reduce fisheries post-harvest losses from 25 percent to 18 percent, or even lower,” the official said.
