THE PHILIPPINE Competition Commission (PCC) convened a strategic policy dialogue (SPD) with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on July 10, at the PCC office in Quezon City. The SPD was held to discuss the findings of a recent PCC competition impact assessment (CIA) study on fish importation regulations.
“The collaboration between PCC and BFAR underscores our commitment to promoting fair competition and economic efficiency in the fisheries industry,” said Kirsten dela Cruz, Acting Director IV of the PCC Economics Office (EO). The conduct of a thorough CIA aims to facilitate informed policy decisions that foster a competitive market environment and benefit consumers.
The study focused on the regulatory frameworks governing fish importation, namely, Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 195, Series of 1999, and FAO No. 259, Series of 2018. These two regulations detail the rules for the importation of fish for canning, processing, and institutional buyer purposes, as well as fish importation for sale in wet markets during closed and off-fishing seasons, or in the event of calamities.
During the dialogue, BFAR representatives, Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Division officer-in-charge Sonia Luisa G. Sanchez and Attorney IV Maria Glenie V. Gumban stressed that the goal of these importation regulations is to aid in the development of the fisheries sector and make the country self-sufficient in fisheries production. They added that these policies are based on rigorous consultations with their stakeholders.
The study looked into potential competition concerns regarding the restrictions on the import and sale of fish. The BFAR cited ongoing projects and plans to review these regulations, aligning with the study’s recommendations to create a more pro-competitive environment.
PCC representatives recommended policy enhancements to optimize competition outcomes in the fisheries sector. In line with this, PCC and BFAR will advance discussions on competition policy in the sector, with a commitment to promoting innovation, sustainability, and fair market practices.
The study was conducted by PCC economists Samantha Louise S. Nepomuceno, Hadassah May R. Cordero, Donabel F. Montalbo, and Jedrek Jose D. Lotilla.
The PCC initiates SPDs to address crucial competition policy issues within various sectors. These dialogues aim to assess the competitive implications of regulatory frameworks and propose recommendations to enhance market competition and economic efficiency.
By facilitating these dialogues, the PCC supports the objectives of the National Competition Policy, which include promoting fair market practices, preventing anti-competitive behavior, and fostering a competitive environment that benefits consumers and businesses alike. These initiatives play a vital role in ensuring that regulatory decisions align with national economic goals and contribute to sustainable economic development.
