Duterte-Cayetano bats for dep't of fisheries to cut red tape and protect fisherfolks' welfare
A department solely dedicated to address the concerns of small fishers and protect the country's marine and aquatic resources.
This is one of the latest "bold solutions" unveiled by the tandem of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano during their "Ronda Serye" listening tour with fishermen in Ormoc City on Tuesday.
Duterte and Cayetano said that, if elected, they will create a Department of Fisheries separate from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to give the fishery sector in the country a more focused attention and reduce red tape which greatly contributes to corruption.
Cayetano said that the present DA is huge, prone to corruption and unmanageable. The senator also said that for a country surrounded by water, proper management of aquatic resources should be a priority, both for food security and livelihood improvement.
"Our plan to create a department of fisheries is an acknowledgment that the
fishery sector has distinct problems and issues apart from land-based farming. It is also part of our effort to curb corruption sourced from unnecessary bureaucracy," Cayetano explained.
Cayetano said that they will also expand available credit instruments for fisherfolk to provide them the needed capital to sustain their livelihood and protect them from 5-6 loan sharks.
The vice-presidential candidate also vowed to ensure the fishermen's safe working conditions, healthcare benefits and seriously study providing fixed wages to handline fishermen.
"Through bold solutions based on strong leadership, Mayor Duterte and I will end the disorder and corruption in the fisheries sector and ensure a better future for our fisherfolk communities," Cayetano concluded.
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