LAOAG CITY—Following the construction of community fish
landing centers (CFLC) in the province, the Department of Agriculture through
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has proposed the collection
of unloading fee for fishery products.
Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory coordinator of the
Provincial Agriculture Office said they are now conducting public consultation
with coastal communities here to solicit their support.
Pegged at one peso per kilo of freshly caught fish
unloaded at the CFLC, Mr. Valente said whatever amount collected from the
fishermen will return to them in the form of government projects and services.
In Ilocos Norte, the government has already constructed
seven fish landing sites to monitor fishery catch here. They are in Laoag City
and in the coastal towns of Badoc, Paoay, Pasuquin, Bangui, Burgos and
Pagudpud.
Mr. Valente said data collection is very important to
determine the right government intervention to improve the socio-economic
conditions of fisherfolk communities with high poverty incidence.
Other rental fees and charges are also being prepared for
the use of post-harvest equipment and tools the BFAR recently turned over to
CFLC beneficiaries.
Once the CFLCs are fully operational, government
officials expect local consumers to benefit from it as they will have better
access to safe and quality fishery commodities. (Leilanie G.
Adriano)
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