Tulfo slams DA over fish imports amid local oversupply

Senator Raffy Tulfo criticized the Department of Agriculture (DA) for issuing fish import permits amidst a local oversupply that negatively impacts fisherfolk.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed a massive surge in fish imports affecting the local industry, attributing it to a loose importation policy.

Data shows total imports of fresh, chilled, and frozen fish from 2017 to 2022 reached 2.37 million metric tons, valued at P163.76 billion, nearly a million metric tons more than imports during the Aquino administration.

Laurel stated that allowing shipments to be unloaded in private ports, a practice from the previous administration, contributed to the surge and affected imports.

To address this, the DA is strengthening import controls and new regulations will require import allocations to be based on previous years' performance and unloading solely at Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) ports to ensure tax compliance and market stability.

Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco defended his family's company, Trans-Pacific Journey (TPJ) Fishing Corporation, stating their import allocations are historically based and scientifically justified, although they prefer no importations.

Tiangco mentioned his family has been in the fishing industry since 1948 and they have no choice but to engage in importation.

During a budget hearing on September 15, Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon identified TPJ Fishing Corporation as one of the top importers of galunggong in September 2024.