Mariculture Program dapat na ma-develop — AGRI Party-List Rep. Lee

Bilang paghahanda at kasiguruhan na hindi kakapusin sa pagkain ang bansa isang house bill ang inihain sa kongreso ni AGRI Party List Representative Wilbert T. Lee na naglalayong itatag ang National Mariculture Program.

“Our country is one of the world’s top producers of fish and aquatic plants. Given our distinct advantage in natural resources we must exert greater effort to ensuring that we can use these amid the dangers of the climate crisis and increasing food insecurity,” ani Rep. Lee.

Sinabi ng Mambabatas na napakalaki ng maitutulong ng mariculture sa mga pamilyang pinoy partikular iyung mamamayan na naninirahan malapit sa katubigan kung saan pwedeng magsagawa ng livelihood program sa lugar na siyang magiging source ng kanilang ikabubuhay

Base sa nilalalaman ng House Bill No. 5531 or the National Mariculture Program bill pushes for the expansion of the NMP, which the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources currently implements, throughout the Philippines in areas that are identified as conducive for mariculture.

Mariculture refers to the farming of aquatic plants and animals through sea cages, long lines and other culture structures in marine and coastal areas.

“High value species, such as bangus, siganid, seaweeds, oysters, mussels, red snappers, groupers, among others, can be grown through this method” ayon pa kay Rep. Lee

If passed, the government would be mandated to adopt the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management to ensure that the marine environment remains conducive to sustainable fisheries, species management and mariculture investment. The government would also be tasked with minimizing the adverse effects of mariculture in view of the multiple uses of marine and coastal areas.

The government would also be required to improve the viability of mariculture by developing the technical skills of fishermen throughout the production, harvesting, processing, storage, and transport stages in the value chain; providing appropriate infrastructure and equipment for post-harvest technology; and ensuring easy access to finance.

Lee emphasized the need for the government to continue to find ways to expand its food production capabilities in the face of its increasing vulnerability to climate change.

“We are among the most vulnerable countries in the world, thus our food security is at serious risk. Kung hindi natin paiigtingin ang paghahanap ng mga solusyon para mapabuti ang ating food production, mananaig ang kagutuman sa bansa,” ayon pa sa Mambabatas

“Magandang solusyon ang mariculture sa layuning ito. Kung madi-develop nang maayos, winner tayo lahat,” dagdag pahayag ni Lee

The World Risk Report 2022 by Germany-based Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum (IFHV) recently identified the Philippines as the world’s most disaster-prone country due to its high risk, exposure, and vulnerability to disasters and calamities. (Cesar Barquilla)