The Zamboanga-based Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association (SPDSFA), the biggest commercial fishing group in the country, has welcomed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s directive to help them cope up with the high cost of diesel. The group said that it will boost the fishing industry of the area.
Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza said at a press briefing in Malacañang that the fishing group in Zamboanga welcomes the announcement that the President has directed Secretary Angie Reyes to conduct a dialogue with them. He added that the dialogue is scheduled for next week. It is said that the SPDSFA contributes some 80 to 85 percent to the sardines production in the country.
According to the President the Energy Secretary Reyes was appointed to study the possibility of providing subsidy to the SPDSFA to sustain their operation and avert a shortage of sardines, a popular table fare of ordinary Filipinos. As the cost of fuel risen enormously some members of the fishing group have suspended their operations. Dureza told that Reyes will visit Zamboanga City next week to discuss with the affected fishermen how best the government could help them.
It is said that Reyes is expected to discuss with the SPDSFA both short and long-term solutions to the fuel-related problem of the SPDSFA and ensure that the 16 fishing vessels belonging to the group would resume operation.
