Piñol orders BFAR to ensure stable supply of fish in markets

MANILA—With the directive issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to dismantle big fish pens at Laguna Lake, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol has ordered the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to ensure steady supply of fish in the market.

“While the order to dismantle the fish pens was directed at the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) secretary, the DA and its line agency — the BFAR — will be actively involved in the effort because of the order’s impact on the fish supply of Metro Manila,” said Piñol.

“DA-BFAR must come up with a back-up plan to ensure that during the period of the dismantling of the fish pens, sources of fish from other parts of the country — especially bangus and tilapia — would be able to fill up the requirements of Metro Manila consumers,” he added.

The 911-square kilometer Laguna Lake is the largest lake in the Philippines and one of the largest in Southeast Asia.