Businesses dealing with fresh, chilled, or frozen fishery products will soon need to secure a new License to Operate (LTO) from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), as the agency rolls out updated licensing requirements beginning January 12, 2026 under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 273. BFAR released a detailed guidance this week explaining how the new system will work, part of a nationwide effort to tighten food safety checks and standardize post-harvest operations in the fisheries sector. The rules cover a wide range of facilities — including pre-processing sites, buying stations, and major processing plants — that handle raw or minimally processed aquatic products.

Delgado, D. (2025, November 22-23). BFAR sets new licensing rules for fish handlers; fresh, chilled products to require license by 2026. Panay News, pp. 3, 14.