A House leader on Thursday expressed optimism that the appointment of Elizer Salilig as director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will allow the agency to expand and enhance programs that support small-scale fishers and strengthen food security.

Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan, chair of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, said he believes Salilig’s “passion and dedication” will help more than 2 million marginalized fisherfolk escape poverty.

“We certainly welcome the President’s appointment of Mr. Elizer Salilig as the new national director of BFAR. Director Salilig’s vast institutional memory and experience, especially when it comes to improving the plight of poor fishing communities, certainly assures us that with him at the helm, BFAR would be able to expand and enhance its programs to support our beleaguered fisherfolk and boost our food security,” Yamsuan said in a news release.

Yamsuan stressed the importance of safeguarding small fisherfolk, particularly in light of a Supreme Court (SC) ruling that could allow commercial fishing companies unrestricted access to municipal waters.

The lawmaker was referring to the SC First Division ruling that upheld a 2023 Malabon Regional Trial Court decision invalidating parts of the Fisheries Code that granted small-scale fishers preferential access to municipal waters.

The Malabon court ruled that the provision was unconstitutional.

Under the Fisheries Code, small-scale fishers have preferential access to the 15-kilometer municipal water zone to protect their livelihoods and marine sustainability.

Yamsuan noted that BFAR has filed a motion asking the Supreme Court to reverse its ruling.

He added that during his meeting with Salilig, the BFAR chief said the agency is prioritizing the case and examining potential Fisheries Code amendments to balance municipal and commercial fishing interests while maintaining marine sustainability.

Yamsuan said his committee is ready to hold an inquiry into the ruling’s social and economic impact in response to the resolution filed by lawmakers seeking an investigation.

“We are just waiting for the action of the Committee on Rules on the resolution and its referral in plenary session to our panel,” he said.

Salilig, a career official who worked his way up in government, has supported municipal fishing communities through programs aimed at processing and marketing their catch and providing modern fishing tools.

Yamsuan expressed confidence that under Salilig’s leadership, BFAR would equip small fisherfolk with resources and training to boost their incomes.

“The irony is that our small fisherfolk remain among the poorest of the poor despite our abundant marine resources. We are happy to learn that Director Salilig has long been helping municipal fishing communities in processing and marketing their catch, along with assisting them in utilizing modern tools as a means to raise their incomes,” he said.

Yamsuan vowed to work with the BFAR chief to assist him in getting his programs implemented on a nationwide scale and with sufficient funding. (PNA)