I note that Sen Cayetano likes the title “Compañero” (companion) – as I see it, DFAR would be the “significant other” of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – I say, “Yes, Sir!” Because:
Why should “Aquaculture” and “Fisheries” be under the DA? The lakes and seas are qualitatively different media for say, catching & growing fish, from farms for growing crops. The waters have their own natural laws separate from the fields.
As it is, the DA has too many agencies under its wings (Wikipedia, “Department of Agriculture (Philippines),” en.wikipedia.org):
DA’s 8 bureaus:
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)
Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE)
Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS)
Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI)
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).
DA’s 18 Attached agencies:
Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC)
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)
National Dairy Authority (NDA)
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI)
National Food Authority (NFA)
National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)
National Tobacco Administration (NTA)
Philippine Carabao Center (PCC)
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech)[11]
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)
Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fishery (PCAF)
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC)
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA)
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)
Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA)
Naturally, the DFAR would then absorb BFAR, NFRDI, and PFDA, as well as take over the administration of SEAFDEC (see above).
The “Explanatory Note” for the Cayetano bill says:
The Philippines, being an archipelago with very rich marine resources, can be a marine powerhouse. Thus, it is logical that a Department that is focused and accountable for the development, management, and conservation of our country's aquatic resources and fishing industries, be established.
Fish and aquatic resources are some of the biggest blessings of God to the [Filipino] people… Our dependence on fish can be attributed to the archipelagic nature of the Philippines with its approximately 7,600 islands… [BFAR] notes that the Philippines' coastline extends to 36,289 kilometers, while total territorial water area (including the exclusive economic zone) is at 2,200,000 square kilometers, teeming with rich marine resources.
Based on the latest [BFAR] statistics, the number of registered fisherfolk engaged in fishery activities totaled to 2,078,913 in 2020. The fishing industry ranks as the 3rd highest contributor in the agriculture sector with 12.27% gross value added contribution in 2020.
Above all that data, the science of Fisheries is qualitatively and quantitatively different from that of Agriculture.
Our friend TCM is saying the budget should be about P13 Billion. Why not?
Importantly, I would recommend that an agency be included for Extension – information and training, all-digital – unlike what the ATI is doing, all training!@517
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