A veteran lawmaker is pushing for a congressional investigation into the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) crackdown on the sale of imported fish like pompano and pink salmon in local markets, saying the BFAR has to explain the legal basis of such move.
“This is to determine if there is a violation of the Constitution, discrimination against local fish vendors and if the present regulations only encourage smuggling, graft and corruption that does not protect the general public, the environment, and promote the general welfare,” Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said in House Resolution No. 600.
BFAR has declared illegal to sell salmon, salmon heads, salmon bellies and imported pompano in the wet markets. The bureau would start confiscating these imported fish starting December 4.
Barzaga said there is a need to investigate the ongoing crackdown to examine if the BFAR is correct in claiming that the move was based on laws and regulations such as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8550), Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 195, Fisheries Memorandum Order (FMO) No. 001, FAO 259, and Certificate of Necessity to Import.
He said the measure would ascertain “whether BFAR’s administrative orders and memorandum order are evidence based” and if its implementation in order.
BFAR is embarking on a crackdown in wet markets, saying the sale of imported pompano and pink salmon in wet markets is prohibited under Fisheries Administrative Order 195, as these are only for canning, processing, and institutional buyers like hotels and restaurants.
The agency claimed that pompano and pink salmon are not included in the Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) issued in November, which listed imported fish products that can be sold in wet markets.