STEEPED in the tradition of corporate business, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. acted posthaste following the series of six severe cyclones that inundated many areas of the country in a month.
These were severe tropical storm “Kristine” (Oct. 20), super typhoon “Leon” (Oct.30), typhoon “Marce” (Nov. 4-8), typhoon “Nica” (Nov. 9-12), typhoon “Ofel” (Nov. 17-18) and super typhoon “Pepito” (Nov. 16-19).
The damage to agriculture and fisheries of these tropical cyclones was initially estimated at P11 billion and the impact of these losses were felt by many Filipinos as soon as Pepito left the Philippine area of responsibility, and will continue to be felt early next month and throughout the Christmas season.
In the case of the looming lack of fish supply in the market, Laurel’s palliative action is to open the gates for importation of small pelagic fish some more following the damage from consecutive typhoons sustained by the fisheries sector.
‘If there is no legal hindrance, the BOC may support Tiu Laurel’s request so that the poor residents … can somehow be freed from hunger.’
“There was a discussion of possibly allowing the import of an additional 8,000 metric tons (MT), set to arrive before the end of the year,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said. The new shipments, if approved, follow the 30,000 MT authorized earlier, and are for delivery in December. The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the imports will also ensure adequate supply during the closed fishing season. Among the fish species the DA is seeking to authorize imports for are round scad (galunggong), mackerel, bonito, and moonfish.
Talking about fish supply and the devastation caused by typhoons, it appears providential that the government has a huge fish stock of mackerel and round scad in 21 refrigerated container vans sitting in the compound of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The shipment is worth about P178.5 million and was confiscated by customs agents in another anti-smuggling operation.
The shipment lacked the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances. A joint team from the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Office and the BOC intercepted the illegal cargo of frozen mackerel weighing 580 metric tons that arrived at the Manila International Container Port from China in early October.
Last Nov. 18, Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. wrote Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio asking him to release the confiscated mackerel shipment to the Department of Social Welfare and Development so that the fish could be distributed to the poor, especially those who were victims of the recent typhoons and floods.
Before this, the agriculture secretary gave the assurance that laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ National Fisheries Laboratory Division showed that the frozen fish is fit for human consumption since it has no signs of spoilage or contamination.
“Consequently, the fish products are deemed fit for immediate release and can be utilized to address food security needs, especially in relief operations,” Tiu Laurel said.
If there is no legal hindrance, the BOC may support Tiu Laurel’s request so that the poor residents across the country who were among the hardest hit by the natural weather disturbances can somehow be freed from hunger.
This initiative by the agriculture secretary is commendable and pushes the official policy of the Marcos administration to involve all agencies and resources of the government in the recovery efforts following the typhoons.
