The P3-billion fish-cage installment program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) may benefit only the big-fish corporations and endanger the marine and aquatic environment, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) warned. Only big-time fishing corporations, entities and individuals can invest in large fish cages due to the intensive capital needed for the aquaculture industry, Pamalakaya Chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement. “Investing billions in aquaculture instead of strengthening the traditional capture fisheries shows the government’s priority to further the privatization of the remaining communal fishing waters at the expense of the livelihood of small fishers,” Hicap said.

Gomez, E J. (2019, June 10). P3-B fish-cage program exclusive, risky - group. The Manila Times, p. B2.