The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), is set to install approximately 20 fishing aggregating devices (FADs), or payao, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This initiative aims to enhance fish catch and address the difficulties faced by Palawan’s fishermen.
Fishermen from Palawan struggle to sell their catch due to high transportation costs from the WPS to Puerto Princesa City. Members of the Palawan Fishing Folks Association face significant fuel expenses in search of buyers. The dwindling number of payao in the area has reduced their fish yield, further impacting their income.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, highlighted the Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) program as a key intervention. Through this initiative, fishermen are encouraged to venture beyond territorial waters for better earnings. BFAR will assist in bringing their catch directly to markets, cutting down on transportation expenses.
The program is expected to boost fishermen’s incomes, increase the national fish supply, and lower fish prices in urban areas like Manila.
“The usual problem of the fishermen here in Palawan is looking for a lucrative market. It is understandable that if you are a fisherman here in Palawan and your markets are only the coastal communities, you don’t earn so you have to go all the way to Manila to dispose your catch,” Tarriela said.
The deployment of payao also aims to bolster Filipino civilian maritime activities in the WPS.
The PCG stressed the shared responsibility of protecting these devices between the government and fishers. Currently, around 300,000 Filipino fishermen operate in the WPS.
Despite threats from Chinese vessels, Palaweño fishermen remain hopeful that the installation of payao will increase their activity in the area.
The WPS contributes seven percent to the country’s fish output. BFAR projects a 20-percent increase in production through the KBBM program.
BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera also unveiled plans for a food boat project, slated for completion by late 2025 or early 2026. This initiative will ensure equitable distribution of fish supplies nationwide.
“There will truly be onboard traders, and when it comes to bringing the catch ashore, it will be brought to a strategic location in such a way that no area will be deprived of supply,” he said.
To further support fishermen, BFAR is providing 60-foot vessels to enable operations beyond subsistence fishing, with 15 to 20 units already distributed nationwide.
The National Youth Commission (NYC) partnered with the PCG and BFAR to bring KBBM to Palawan, following its launch in May at Panatag Shoal.
