Legarda: Stop massive fish imports, support local fishers with VAT suspension on fuel

Senator Loren Legarda warned that the Department of Agriculture’s plan to import 300,000–350,000 metric tons of fish is misplaced at a time when fuel costs are already crippling local fishing communities, stressing that government must prioritize direct support through VAT suspension on fuel.

“Hindi natin puwedeng ipagpalit ang ating mga mangingisda sa imported na isda. Habang sila’y hindi makalaot dahil sa mahal ng krudo, ang gobyerno ay nagbabalak na umangkat. Ang kailangan nila ay tulong, suporta sa kabuhayan, at agarang ginhawa sa presyo ng krudo. Kung wala tayong mangingisda, mawawala rin ang pagkain sa hapag ng pamilyang Pilipino,” Legarda said.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) reported in a Senate hearing this April that nearly 50% of small fishers in Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, and Pangasinan have already stopped fishing after the April 7 fuel hike. Fuel now consumes up to 80% of their operating costs, forcing many to dock their boats and threatening the country’s food supply.

Legarda underscored that she has already filed Senate Bill No. 2043, authorizing the suspension or reduction of VAT on fuel, and earlier Senate Bill No. 1942, which sought to suspend both excise tax and VAT. She emphasized that these measures are designed to immediately ease the burden on households, farmers, and fishers.

“Kung tunay na may malasakit ang pamahalaan, ipakita ito sa gawa. Ang VAT suspension ay konkretong hakbang na agad mararamdaman ng tao sa presyo ng krudo. Hindi puwedeng puro paliwanag habang ang mga bangka ay nakatali sa pampang. Ang kailangan ay mabilis na desisyon para hindi tuluyang gumuho ang lokal na suplay ng isda,” Legarda added.

She further noted that oil industry players themselves confirmed during Senate hearings that VAT suspension is feasible and implementable. Legarda stressed that the issue is no longer about fiscal capacity but about political will.

‎”Kahit may pondo at fiscal space, ang tanong, may tapang ba na gamitin ito para sa tao? Ang gobyerno ay may kakayahang bawasan ang presyo ng krudo ngayon. Ang kulang ay ang malinaw na pagpapasya na unahin ang mamamayan kaysa sa dagdag na koleksyon,” Legarda said.

She called on the DA to present a clear contingency plan that prioritizes fuel subsidies, operational support, and stronger market linkages for small fishers. Imports, she emphasized, should only be a last resort.

“Ang tunay na suporta sa mangingisda ay garantiya na may pagkain sa hapag ng bawat Pilipino. Kung hindi sila matutulungan ngayon, masisira ang pundasyon ng ating seguridad sa pagkain,” Legarda concluded. (30)