THE five nominees of the newly accredited party-list by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) vow to bring the voice of the fishing industry to Congress and ensure sustainable and economic growth for the marginalized sector if they get a seat in the May 9 elections.
The All Fish Party-list, or the Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations Inc., visited Cebu yesterday to launch its campaign in the Visayas, hoping to gather more votes in the coming polls.
The group promised to ensure social protection and formulate laws against unreported illegal fishing and the pollution of the seas, as well as, conduct seminars among the fisherfolk on climate change, the protection of coral reefs and marine life, and the construction of artificial reefs.
The party-list also hopes to protect the rights of Filipino fishermen operating in the West Philippine Sea, which is the subject of a dispute between the country and China.
Atty. Arnold Naval, first nominee; businessman Peter Paul Santos, second nominee; Certified Public Accountant Edgar Lim, third nominee; Atty. Jacqueline Anne Borres-Yao; and Leonida Jusay want the creation of the Department of Fisheries so the agency can properly address the concerns and issues of the fishing industry.
Atty. Naval said they want that more law enforcers be stationed at the disputed territory and that the affected fishermen be given alternative livelihood while the dispute is ongoing, especially that they have been barred by China from entering the area.
Lim, for his part, said that Zamboanga, the sardine capital of the country, is implementing a three-month fishing ban to give time for the fish to breed and grow and avoid juvenile fishing.
The group is hoping that the same measure be implemented in other regions in the country where fishing is the community’s main source of livelihood.
This way, fishing in these areas will not be abused, Lim said.