NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar Questions DA's 100% Budget Increase Request For Navotas Fish Port
Photo credit: Senate PH
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, raised significant questions during the Finance Subcommittee B hearing on the proposed 2024 national budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies.
She specifically sought an explanation for the DA's request for a 100 percent increase in the budget allocated to the Navotas fish port, considering the potential hindrance posed by the ongoing reclamation project in Manila Bay.
Addressing the officials from the Department of Agriculture, Senator Villar inquired, "Can you explain to me why a fish port that is having problems will increase their budget by 100 percent? If we will continue with the reclamation, people will be having a hard time going to the fish port of Navotas. Why are we increasing the budget when there is a problem?"
Senator Villar expressed concerns about the feasibility and sustainability of such a budget increase for the Navotas fish port, given the potential challenges arising from the Manila Bay reclamation project. She highlighted that all ports in Manila, including international shipping lines and organizations, have been voicing apprehensions about the impact of the reclamation.
Furthermore, despite repeated questioning, the officials from the Department of Agriculture were unable to provide a satisfactory response to Senator Villar's queries during the hearing.
Consequently, Senator Villar has requested that the DA officials return at a later date to offer a more comprehensive explanation regarding the budget allocation for the Navotas fish port, considering the impending challenges associated with the Manila Bay reclamation project.
She specifically sought an explanation for the DA's request for a 100 percent increase in the budget allocated to the Navotas fish port, considering the potential hindrance posed by the ongoing reclamation project in Manila Bay.
Addressing the officials from the Department of Agriculture, Senator Villar inquired, "Can you explain to me why a fish port that is having problems will increase their budget by 100 percent? If we will continue with the reclamation, people will be having a hard time going to the fish port of Navotas. Why are we increasing the budget when there is a problem?"
Senator Villar expressed concerns about the feasibility and sustainability of such a budget increase for the Navotas fish port, given the potential challenges arising from the Manila Bay reclamation project. She highlighted that all ports in Manila, including international shipping lines and organizations, have been voicing apprehensions about the impact of the reclamation.
Furthermore, despite repeated questioning, the officials from the Department of Agriculture were unable to provide a satisfactory response to Senator Villar's queries during the hearing.
Consequently, Senator Villar has requested that the DA officials return at a later date to offer a more comprehensive explanation regarding the budget allocation for the Navotas fish port, considering the impending challenges associated with the Manila Bay reclamation project.
Oct 5, 2023
