Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

WHAT was largely expected to be an insignificant event, the First National Fishery Producers Congress ended the occasion with a clear vision for the sector.

As the organizers correctly pointed out, it is our fishery sector that will be most vulnerable when the ASEAN economic integration is fully implemented.

Additionally, the most basic issue about it is the fact that it is this sector that puts food on every household’s table. If our local producers are not supported, who, indeed, will end up feeding Filipino families? Indonesians? Thais? Vietnamese?

But do we want to be dependent on others for our food when our country is abundant in water resources.

If a department, instead of a mere agency, is being proposed to handle disaster risk reduction issues including disaster alert and response activities, how can we not consider food security a top priority issue that deserves a department to oversee and direct support for the sector?

It is encouraging to know that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has pledged to support the idea raised during the fishery congress. The organizers should pursue the partnership to realize that dream – a Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

 

Grace versus Mar

WHAT makes one a politician?  Or, better yet, who is the true politician?  The standard answer is the one who knows how to compromise is the true politician; he is also the best politician.

Grace Poe, when asked if she was willing to be Jojo Binay’s running mate in the 2016 presidential election, said:  “No.” Mar Roxas, when asked for the umpteenth time if he was running for president in May 2016, said:  “There is no definite plan yet.”

With those answers, who would be the better politician between Grace and Mar? Definitely, Mar.  Compared with Grace’s quick “no,” Mar’s “not definite” spin was the perfect answer of a true-blue politician.

By saying “no” to a team up with Binay, Grace showed her color by being a straight-shooting black or white political animal. Bad.  The best politicians have no “yes” and “no” in their vocabularies, only “we will see.”  Obviously, Grace hasn’t heard of politics being the “art of compromise.”

That was true yesterday.  That is true today.  That will be true tomorrow.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments