ILOILO City – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippine government’s support to the aquaculture sector through the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC).
His message for 45th Meeting of the SEAFDEC Program Committee (PCM) here that kicked off on Dec. 5 was delivered by Atty. Demosthenes Escoto, officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
“The people and government of the Philippines reaffirm their pledge to working together to solve substantive issues facing the sector,” according to Marcos.
“The region has experienced loss of lives, nearly unfathomable in modern times. And as we confront this skyrocketing inflation as a result of rising fuel prices, much of the regional economy has failed on their own to recover. In laying out our plans for the months ahead, we must agree as to the requirements of the situation and the part each (SEAFDEC) organization or department will take to give proper effect to whatever action we might undertake,” Marcos added.
The President also cited the vital role of SEAFDEC which he described as an indispensable forum for shared prosperity and food security through the development of fisheries and aquaculture in Southeast Asia through member-nations’ advanced scientific research, sharing of knowledge and responsible management of precious fisheries and aquaculture resources.
“By promoting and implementing policies grounded in these principles, SEAFDEC has helped improve the lives of countless of millions of people throughout SEA. Now more than ever, SEAFDEC has continuous commitment to the nations of the region,” Marcos said.
Held at Marriot Hotel in Mandurriao district, this year’s PCM which is hosted by the Aquaculture Department (AQD) of SEAFDEC-Tigbauan will run until Dec. 10.
Around 60 senior officers from member-countries namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam joined the organization’s first physical meeting since the pandemic.
The President said there is a need to review and evaluate the activities of SEAFDEC to make sure there is complementation, not duplication among their programs; decide how its departments might best advice and assist in the program formulation of member-countries in the various fisheries fields; establish and reach an accord on long term plans for the development of the departments and the implementation of the objectives of SEAFDEC so the funding assistance can be properly planned; and to ensure that the needs of all member-countries are justly reflected in the proposed programs of activities and financial allocations of the various departments.
“Southeast Asia’s continuing economic growth recovery is a vivid reminder of the pivotal function that the region’s fisheries and aquaculture has been performing in recent years. Few characteristics are more representative of Southeast Asia spirit that patience and perseverance using wit, hard work, and initiative our fisheries and aquaculture sectors have successfully demonstrated that trait of adapting while thriving in the face of adversity,” he added.
As part of the five-day convention, the participants will tour the facilities of SEAFDEC/AQD Tigbauan Main Station on Dec. 7 and historical and heritage sites of Iloilo City on Dec. 9./PN
