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Fish vendors attend to their customers at the fish section of the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City on November 24, 2022. The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) launched their information,Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign against the trade of illegally diverted imported fish commodities in wet markets.

Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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Jeck Batallones

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- During the budget deliberation for the Department of Agriculture (DA), Act-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo criticized the agency for overseeing the water quality of Laguna Lake, arguing that this responsibility should fall under the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). He stressed that the DA should focus on its primary duties, such as ensuring food security.&quot;Bakit papasukin ninyo yung trabaho na &#x27;yan? In fact, there is the LLDA. Ano trabaho ng LLDA? Kasi sabi ko imbes na mag-focus kayo d&#x27;yan na tignan kung malinis ang lake, kung marumi ang tubig, o mabaho ang isda, bakit &#x27;di kayo mag-concentrate, magdala kayo ng tao sa palengke nationwide every morning para mag-check na baka may nag-o-overprice na naman d&#x27;yan na gulay, mga isda, lalo na ngayon tumaas ang isda,&quot; Tulfo said.He also questioned the absence of a bidding process for the importation of fish, warning that this could lead to higher prices.&quot;Pinapadaan ito sa bidding. Bakit wala na tayong bidding sa pag-iimport ng mga isda tulad ng mga galunggong, etc.? Ina-award na lang po ito?&quot; he asked during the hearing.Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel explained that the bidding process failed because the suppliers did not fulfill their commitments.&quot;It was a total failure because lahat nung nag-bid d&#x27;yan nangako ng ganitong presyo pero &#x27;di naman tinupad,&quot; Laurel said.Tulfo expressed his disapproval of the situation.&quot;Failure of bidding, so dalawa na lang papaboran natin. And that is unfair naman. Paano naman yung ibang business? Marami sila eh, nakalimutan ko lang hingin listahan kung sino-sino pa yun eh,&quot; Tulfo said.On Monday, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee urged the House Committee on Appropriations to restore the DA&#x27;s original budget proposal of P513.8 billion.During the budget briefing, Lee questioned the government&#x27;s commitment to agriculture, highlighting the substantial gap between the requested and allocated amounts. He emphasized that a larger budget is crucial for boosting agricultural productivity and reducing food prices.&quot;Dapat ibigay yung ni-request ng ahensya, at gastusin nang tama para maramdaman agad ng mamamayan,&quot; Lee said.Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, senior vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, emphasized the critical role of the department in ensuring the nation&#x27;s food security. She stressed the need for adequate funding and support for the agriculture sector.&quot;Our farmers and fisherfolk are the backbone of our food security. They put food on the tables of Filipino families. It&#x27;s our duty to ensure their efforts are recognized and properly supported,&quot; Quimbo said.The DA is seeking a P200.2-billion budget for 2025. This represents a 6 percent decrease from the 2024 allocation and is significantly lower than the DA&#x27;s original request of P518 billion.The committee has terminated the budget hearing and will transmit the bill for plenary debate.

During the budget deliberation for the Department of Agriculture (DA), Act-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo criticized the agency for overseeing the water quality of Laguna Lake, arguing that this responsibility should fall under the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).

During the budget deliberation for the Department of Agriculture (DA), Act-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo criticized the agency for overseeing the water quality of Laguna Lake, arguing that this responsibility should fall under the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).

Rep. Tulfo grills DA over failed fish importation bidding

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Rep. Tulfo grills DA over failed fish importation bidding

Jeck Batallones,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 12, 2024 11:47 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

DA

Department of Agriculture

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