Surging fuel prices are grounding more fishers in the Philippines, reducing daily catches and threatening food security, witnesses said at a Senate hearing on April 8.
"Our fishing operations today are operating at the edge," said Kenrick Teng of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries Inc. during a Senate hearing on the global oil crisis's impact on farmers and fishers.
Teng noted that more than 69,000 fishers and over 279,000 auxiliary workers rely on the fishing sector in their region. "When the boats stop, supply goes down," he added. "And we all know what follows: pressure on food security."
Jayson Cainglet of agricultural group Sinag said nearly half of surveyed fishers last week from Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, and Pangasinan have halted fishing. "Those who can still set sail get between five to 10 kilos because they can’t go far," he said.
Meanwhile, daily tuna output has dropped from 830 metric tons to 580, according to Francisco Buencamino, executive director of the Tuna Canners Association of the Philippines. Two cannery firms have suspended operations. He called for government protection for tuna exporters to safeguard contracts.