The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently took a significant step toward safeguarding the integrity of Philippine exports by convening fisheries industry stakeholders across Mindanao. The consultation focused on a proposed Administrative Circular to establish a standardized regulatory framework for handling fish and fishery products that are rejected or detained by international markets.
The hybrid consultation, held in person and via Zoom, brought together BFAR officials, fishery and aquaculture business operators (FABOs), exporters, and processors from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and the Caraga Region.
The proposed circular seeks to create a clear, consistent mechanism for the investigation, monitoring, and disposition of export shipments that fail to meet the stringent food safety and regulatory standards of importing countries.
Strengthening Global Competitiveness In his welcome remarks, BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services, Isidro M. Velayo Jr., highlighted the necessity of the policy. “Strengthening our mechanisms for refused export shipments is critical to protecting the integrity of the Philippine export certification system. This framework will provide our stakeholders with the guidance needed to ensure continued compliance with international food safety and trade standards,” Velayo stated.
BFAR-12 OIC-Regional Director Eugene M. Casas echoed this sentiment, urging stakeholders to provide constructive input to ensure the regulations are both practical and effective. “Close cooperation between the BFAR and the private sector is essential. By aligning our practices with international requirements, we can address product specifications and compliance challenges more effectively,” Casas noted.
Clear Procedures for Industry Compliance During the technical briefing, BFAR experts—led by Senior Fishing Regulations Officer Efren V. Hilario and Fishing Regulations Officer II Dennis F. de Vera—detailed the legal foundations of the circular, anchored in the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654) and the Food Safety Act of 2013 (RA 10611).
The proposed policy introduces formal procedures for:
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Case Handling: Standardized steps for investigating and evaluating instances of refused entry.
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Corrective Actions: Implementation of required improvements to address food safety, hygiene, and sanitation lapses.
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Accountability: Clear definitions of responsibilities for exporters and business operators to ensure shipments meet destination-country requirements.
Commitment to Collaborative Policy-Making The consultation featured an active open forum where participants discussed the disposition of returned shipments, microbiological safety protocols, and the implementation of administrative measures.
BFAR reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent policy-making process. All feedback and position papers gathered during the consultation will be consolidated and endorsed to the Technical Working Group (TWG) for evaluation before the circular is finalized.
“This circular is intended to provide a formal, standardized framework that supports, rather than hinders, international trade,” said Senior Fishing Regulations Officer Edison Pesario during his closing remarks.
