Agriculture chief Emmanuel Piñol said he is against the creation of a separate fisheries department as this would go against President Rodrigo Duterte's call for "effective government" and will require additional expenditure to the administration. "I believe that the creation of the Department of Fisheries is a knee-jerk reaction to a simple problem of a neglected sector. Besides, if needed the fisheries sector was neglected, this new administration surely is not to blame," Piñol said. The DA chief said the fisheries sector is now an area o special concern for DA. He said he already called for the development of fisheries, aquaculture, mariculture, and even the seaweed industry and a strong campaign against illegal fishing and the rehabilitation of the seas as sources of fish have been implemented.

Miraflor, M. (2016, September 16). DA secretary opposes creation of separate fisheries department. Manila Bulletin, p. B-5.