The government and the fisheries sector must establish more aquaculture economic zones to boost production of processed and value-added aquaculture products, according to food security advocacy group Tugon Kabuhayan.
In a statement, the group said a number of aquaculture companies are willing to invest in the processing and export of commodities, lured by the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered to locators in ecozones.
However, investors have cited challenges in complying with numerous requirements to register their projects with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), according to Tugon Kabuhayan.
These requirements include favorable endorsement from the Department of Agriculture, environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, endorsement of local government units, among others.
Companies in ecozones enjoy tax holidays, simplified import-export procedures, tax-free importations of capital equipment, construction materials, specialized office equipment and vehicles, professional instruments, among others.
Tugon Kabuhayan said of the 379 operating ecozones as of 2017, only 22 were agro-industrial zones.
Among the aquaculture companies registered with PEZA are Shemberg Biotech Corp. which is into seaweeds processing and Alsons Aquaculture Corp. which is engaged in the production of feeds, fish, shrimps and other aquaculture farm species for export.
Tugon Kabuhayan said tuna, seaweeds and shrimps are the country’s top export commodity, jointly providing for 63 percent or 153,667 metric tons (MT) of the total export volume of 226,821 MT and 58 percent or $531,333 million of the total export value of $909 million.
“We can become a dominant exporter while still caring for and providing gainful economic growth to local communities. At the same time, with the recent approval of the interagency task force on the coronavirus on the increase of domestic sales allowance to 50 percent from the previous 30 percent, we can ensure that or local consumers will not be deprived of sufficient fish protein source,” Tugon Kabuhayan said.
“In our estimate, even if only half of the urban population patronizes deboned milkfish, this will create additional 7,000 jobs in a year. What more if we sell deboned bangus and other value-added aquaculture products to other countries?” Tugon Kabuhayan added. – Jed Macapagal
