BFAR XI SEIZES 2,745 KG DUGHO, DISTRIBUTES TO CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS IN DAVAO REGION

Davao City– Last Friday, January 29, 2021, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office XI has distributed over a hundred boxes of Xiphias gladius, locally known as dugho,  to various charitable institutions across the region following an incident of misdeclaration of imported fish products.

About 183 boxes of frozen dugho, weighing 2,745 kilograms, were intercepted and seized by the Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Unit (FIQU) of BFAR XI for violation of Sec. 105 of RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654 in relation to Fisheries Administrative Order No. 195. This was the result of the intensified operation of the Bureau against illegal importation.

BFAR XI Regional Director Raul C. Millana, has previously met with importers reminding them to ensure compliance with prevailing fishery laws, as well as relevant issuances pertinent to importation, citing Fisheries Administrative Order No. 195 (FAO No. 195) or the “Rules and Regulations Governing Importation of Fresh/Chilled/ Frozen and Fishery Aquatic Products” on misdeclaration, safety requirements, and labelling, and Sec. 105 of RA 10654 on “Importation or Exportation of Fish or Fishery Species”.

BFAR XI disposed and distributed the confiscated fishery products following the alleged illegal importation, to selected charitable institutions in Davao Region to assist and augment the adverse effect of Covid-19 pandemic. The confiscated dugho have been tested by the BFAR XI Regional Fisheries Laboratory and was found to be safe and fit for human consumption.

The beneficiaries of the frozen dugho were Foundation of Bahay Pasilungan, Co Su Gian Home for the Aged, Lingap Center for Mentally Challenged Children, CSSDO Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern, Balay Dangupan, Love The Children Foundation, Living Stones Orphanage, Children’s Village of Davao City Bahay Pag-asa, Country View Home for the Aged, Golden Haven Retirement Homes, as well as, the Local Government Unit of Talaingod, through its Municipal Agriculturist Office, in coordination with Sto. Niño Parish, in support for the Municipal Nutrition Action Office feeding program for IP children of Talaingod.

RD Millana has, once again, called for the strict observance of importation and fishery laws to support food security while preventing unfair competition against local fisherfolk. He warned that violation of laws and issuances pertaining to importation of fishery products shall be dealt with accordingly.
#bfarxi

Source:https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1405554633112229&id=100009731166984