In sponsoring its plenary approval in one sitting, Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, affirmed the need for multi-species marine hatcheries to ensure sustainable supply of marine products. “We have a lot of catching up to do to support our fishing industry,” Villar admitted, warning, “otherwise, we will compromise our food security.” She pointed out that hatcheries are expected to “help solve the problem of dwindling fish supply in our country and secure the livelihood of small fishermen in the municipal waters.”

Fernandez, B. (2022, February 2). Senate okays bills for creation of 14 fish hatcheries nationwide. Business Mirror, p. A4.