TBTI Philippines
TBTI Philippines Organizes Round Table Discussion on the Proposed Amendment of RA 10654 (Amended Fisheries Code)
In-person and virtual ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing and commitment to SSF R&D of founding member-organizations during TBTI Philippines launch. © University of the Philippines Visayas Facebook Page.
TBTI Philippines organized an online round table discussion on the Proposed Amendment of the 2015 Republic Act No. 10654 or an act to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, or the amended The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550).
Members of RTD from eight member-SUCs of TBTI Philippines
The round table discussion was not part of any consultation on the amendment but an important venue for information sharing. Specifically, the event was an opportunity for the academic researchers to share their experiences, perspectives, and insights about the proposal to amend RA 10654.
The speakers at the round table discussion included eight faculty members who are the member-SUCs of TBTI Philippines. They were Dr. Raul Bradecina (Partido State University), Dr. Dominic Calapan (Bohol Island State University), Dr. Wilfredo Campos (University of the Philippines Visayas), Asst. Prof. Junard Catabay (Central Luzon State University), Prof. Ramon Florendo (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University), Dr. Cleto Nañola, Jr. (University of the Philippines Mindanao), Dr. Herminie Palla (Western Philippines University), and Dr. Yasmin Primavera-Tirol (Aklan State University). Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, TBTI Philippines executive director, moderated the RTD.
The event started with a live poll with the participation of 60 audience members. From those, 30% were students, 24% researchers, 27% faculty members, 5% practitioners, and rest (14%) fell in the ‘others’ category. 40% of the participants were from Luzon, 43% from Visayas, 16% from Mindanao, and 1% from outside the Philippines. The participants belong to various organizations/institutions such as the academe (60%), NGA (5%), NGO (10%), private sector (3%), and others (22%).
Live poll results launched at the start of the webinar.
The discussion was divided into three parts: an opening statement from each of the eight speakers, questions from the moderator, and questions from the audience. The speakers shared their thoughts on the current state of implementation of RA 10654 and its proposed amendment. Specifically, they shared their stand on the proposed redefinition of the municipal waters and municipal fisheries, allowing commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters starting at 10.1 km, and the implications of these proposed amendments on food security in the country.
The members of the RTD during the discussion
Questions raised by the audience were mostly concerning the recent status of the IUU fishing in the country and its prevention and control.
About 90 people attended the discussion period. Through a live feedback, the audience shared their main takeaway from the event. Overall, participants thought the round table discussion was productive, inciteful, and informative.
The speakers and the audience.
The word cloud from Slido showing the live audience’s main take aways from the round. table discussion .