Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. announced that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will enforce a 250,000-metric ton (MT) quota on fish imports in the fourth quarter, aligning with the end of the fishing season. The measure was initially scheduled to take effect on Aug. 1, but implementation has been postponed. The report was published by BusinessWorld.
According to Secretary Laurel, the delay allows stakeholders to adjust and ensures the quota supports domestic fishery production without disrupting market supply during peak season. The DA aims to balance the needs of local fisherfolk with consumer demand for affordable fish.
The quota represents a key policy to manage fish imports and protect local fisheries, as over-reliance on imports has been a concern for the industry. The decision comes amid efforts to stabilize prices and secure food supply for the Philippines.