GOVERNMENT is planning to provide fuel subsidy to Filipino fishermen to convince them to fish in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea, a military commander said yesterday.
Vice Adm. Ramil Roberto Enriquez, chief of the Armed Forces Western Command, said convincing Filipino fishermen to fish in the disputed area is a “challenge” as most fishermen they have approached find the area too far, and have available fishing grounds nearby where they can also fish but would not have to spend for additional fuel.
Enriquez is also the head of the Area Task Force West, under the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) which is supervising the government’s efforts in the West Philippine Sea.
The area is being claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan. In March this year, China deployed a large fleet of fishing vessels in the West Philippine Sea, which prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs to lodge diplomatic protest against Beijing.
In response, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource, a member of the NTF-WPS, appealed to Filipino fishermen to fish in the area which he said “is our traditional fishing ground.”
The Armed Forces has been asking Filipinos in the past years to fish in area amid increased Chinese presence, assuring them of government protection through routine patrols.
Enriquez acknowledged that West Philippine Sea is too far for fishermen and they will likely earn more if they fish in nearby areas.
Nevertheless, he said that fishermen from as far as Navotas City, Mindoro provinces, Bohol and Cebu are going to the West Philippine Sea.
Enriquez said 80 to 90 percent of Filipino fishermen fishing in the West Philippine are not from Palawan. He however did not say how many fishermen are going to the area to catch fish.
Enriquez said government has constructed a port in Pag-asa, the largest among the nine areas occupied by the government, to host Filipino fishermen during bad weather. He said the port has somehow reduced the fears of fishermen to fish in the West Philippine Sea.
Pag-asa Island, about 280 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, serves as the seat of government of Kalayaan town in Palawan.
Enriquez said the government is planning to construct similar facilities in other areas it is occupying. Also, the government is eyeing an ice production facility in Pag-asa Island to attract more Filipino fishermen. He said the facility will allow Filipino fishermen to stay longer in the area.
