Author: DA-AFID | 21 December 2018
Heads of government agencies gathered on December 17, to review and discuss the National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
Held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the first Command Conference of the Philippine Committee (PhilCom) against IUU fishing brought Department Secretaries, heads of government agencies, and fisheries sectoral representatives together to report the Committee’s accomplishments, institute key fisheries law enforcement policies and review PhilCom members’ deliverables.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol who chairs the Committee said that government’s efforts to combat IUUF in the past years have been firmly rooted in the NPOA.
“Our National Plan of Action (NPOA) to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing is a product of a participatory process and formulated in consultation with public and private stakeholders involved in fisheries management and conservation,” Secretary Piñol said.
Besides a review of the NPOA, the meeting also featured the signing of the Committee’s Internal Rules as well as a Joint Memorandum Circular to Philippine law enforcement bodies and deputy fish wardens on the adoption and implementation of the Fisheries Law Enforcement Manual of Operation (FLEMO).
The Manual, which will be provided to law enforcement personnel, establishes standard operating procedures in the enforcement of Republic Act (RA) 10654 or the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code and other fisheries laws, rules and regulations.
“With clear and strong policies already in place, there can be no excuses for failure,” Secretary Piñol said.
He added that the PhilCom will fast-track coordination between and among agencies and will thus provide for a stronger and more holistic anti-IUUF campaign.
“We are expected to give our full commitment to harmonizing all our efforts and ensuring the success of this drive to stop and prevent IUU fishing,” he said.
Sec. Piñol was joined by Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sec. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Sec. Adelino Sitoy, and Agriculture Usec. for Fisheries Eduardo Gongona.
PhilCom members include the Office of the President, the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation and Communications, Interior and Local Government, Finance, Justice, National Defense and Foreign Affairs, concerned Economic Zone authorities and private sector representatives.
