The Department of Agriculture (DA) said its proposed P250-billion budget for 2022 will likely not be granted and it will only be given P72 billion as indicated in the National Expenditure Program that will soon be submitted to Congress.
The P72 billion is only P1 billion higher than this year’s budget of P71 billion.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said he has been hoping next year’s budget would see at least an increase of P20 billion.
In a virtual briefing hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines yesterday, Dar said the DA’s request for additional budget in recent years is justified especially after last year’s record palay production of 19.4 million metric tons (MT).
Meanwhile, Dar also said the National Fisheries and Resources Management Group is now being consulted for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ recommended volume of fish that will be allowed to be imported during the country’s closed fishing season by fourth quarter.
Dar said the recommendation will be submitted by August 20, and that the National Economic and Development Authority also has a suggested volume which he declined to provide.
The government will have to issue certificates of necessity to import (CNI) if the supply is intended to be sold in wet markets. The permits are eyed to be issued before the close season which starts on October for the additional supply to arrive on time.
Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, DA undersecretary for agri-industrialization and fisheries, said CNI for 30,000 MT of galunggong were issued last year but only 26,000 MT were exhausted and arrived in the country.
Amid the preparations, Caballero said importation is still the “last resort” and that stakeholder comments especially of aquaculture producers of bangus and tilapia will be considered. – Jed Macapagal
