Maguindanao's second district congressman, now senatorial aspirant Zajid Mangudadatu is eyeing a separate department that will focus on the development of the fishing and aquaculture industry to address the plight of the fisherfolk. Mangudadatu said he wanted to pursue his long-time proposal to make the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources not just a bureau but a department separate from the Department of Agriculture so that the problems would be addressed faster and allow the industry to grow. Noting that 30 to 40 percent of the country’s population rely on fishing as a livelihood, Mangudadatu said it was important that a separate department must focus on the plight of the people engaged in fishing.

Ramos-Araneta, M. (2019, March 26). Mangudadatu eyes Dept. of Fishing, Aquaculture. Manila Standard, p. A5.