00:00 35,000 metric tons. That is how much the Philippines is set to import this year.
00:05 The goal is to ensure adequate supply in the market and prevent heights in prices during closed fishing season.
00:11 Fisherfolk will be allowed to catch certain species of fish from November to January to allow them to reproduce.
00:17 Under Memorandum Circular No. 36 released by Agriculture Department on August 15,
00:23 importers are allowed to bring in frozen rounds cad, big eyes cad, mackerel, bonito, and moonfish from October 1 to December 31.
00:32 But some fishermen fear the importation will affect their livelihood.
00:36 The fish are weak. The fish are weak. The windows are low.
00:43 The fish are like garons.
00:46 According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources or BFAR, fishermen shouldn't worry.
00:52 After January 15, there will be no more arrival of imported fish.
00:59 This is actually to not create competition in our local production.
01:07 BFAR also defended that the government's importation program is based on statistical data.
01:13 There is an estimated 769,446 metric tons of fish supply in the country
01:20 compared to the 827,285 metric tons expected demand, resulting in a deficit of about 58,000 metric tons.
01:30 This is a measure of the government to actually protect the consumers.
01:34 It is also our interest to protect the local fisherfolk in terms of local fish production.
01:41 Based on the DA's latest monitoring report, local and imported galunggong currently sells at over 200 pesos per kilo.
01:48 Tilapia is at highest price at 160 pesos per kilo, while bangus is at 240 pesos.
01:55 Mackerel, meanwhile, now costs 300 to 320 pesos.
02:00 BFAR assures there's enough supply of other types of fish like tilapia and milkfish or bangus.
02:06 EJ Gomez, CNN, Philippines.
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