Pangilinan warns of looming fish shortage if Chinese presence lingers in WPS

AND THEN THERE ARE 28 Philippine military officials say only 28 of the more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels—here seen up close in a satellite image—remained anchored at Julian Felipe Reef, which China calls Whitsun Reef, as of Sunday. —REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Sunday warned of possible fish shortage if Chinese presence remains in the West Philippines Sea, adding that the government should immediately take action against “twin threats” to the country’s territory and supply of fish.

“May problema na tayo sa pork shortage. ‘Wag naman pati fish shortage dahil sigurado, pag nangyari ito, magmamahal din pati isda,” Pangilinan said in statement.

(We already have a pork shortage problem. Let’s not allow a fish shortage because for sure it will raise fish prices.)

“Mahirap magmahal ang pagkain, di lang heart-broken aabutin natin, kundi pati sakit ng sikmura,” he added.

Pangilinan issued the statement after Zambales fisherfolk attributed their dwindling catch to the presence of at least 20 Chinese vessels anchored around 111 kilometers from San Antonio, Zambales.

The fishermen, the senator noted, said they usually earn as much as P4,000 per fishing trip but they are now coming back almost empty-handed due to the scarcity of their catch.

Pangilinan said the government should take immediate action against the “twin threats of territory encroachment and fish shortage.”

“As early as now, we should heed the warning of our fishermen on the issue of their dwindling catch. We are glad that the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) takes this into account in their diplomatic protests,” the senator said.

He likewise urged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to “step up” and provide necessary support to Filipino fishermen.

“The Department of Agriculture as a whole must prepare for contingency to avoid a fish shortage,” he added.

“Sa ganitong lagay, hindi na lang soberenya natin ang inaagaw ng China, ninanakawan din tayo ng kita at pagkain. Palaging lugi ang ating mga maliit na magsasaka at mangingisda. Sila na nga ang pinakamahirap, sila pa ang palaging agrabyado,” Pangilinan stressed.

(In this situation, China is not only violating our sovereignty, but it is also robbing us of income and food. Small-scale farmers and fishermen are always on the losing end. They are the poorest and almost always taken advantage of.)

According to Pangilinan, the government must learn from the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak that affected thousands of local hog raisers and go to the root cause of the problem.

“Ano ang nangyari sa ASF dahil hindi nababantayan nang maayos ang ating border? Dahil hindi mahigpit ang pagbabantay, nakapasok ang ASF. Ngayon naman, harap-harapan na tayong pinapasok,” he said.

(What happened in ASF because our border controls were not properly enforced? Because of loose controls, ASF entered our territory. Now, the incursion is blatant.)

“Kung hindi mabantayan nang maayos ang West Philippine Sea, maaubos na ang ating yamang-dagat,” he added.

(If the West Philippine Sea is not properly guarded, we will lose our marine wealth.)

/MUF