No fisherfolk should be left behind – Mar Roxas

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Presidential candidates Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe and former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II raise each others’ hands at the end of yesterday’s presidential debate. The photo is a screen grab from GMA 7 Youtube video.

Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II vowed on Sunday that he will take concrete steps to modernize the country’s fisheries system if he is elected in the May 9 national polls.

Roxas shared his plans during the first Presidential Debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in cooperation with GMA News and Public Affairs and the Philippine Daily Inquirer and held at the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City.

He said the first thing he would address would be the reduction of interest rates on loans so fishermen would be able to take home more of their hard-earned cash.

Even Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was tasked to rebut his statement, agreed to Roxas’ plan and even asked the former Interior and Local Government secretary’s permission to allow him to copy his platform if elected.

Next on Roxas’ agenda is the use of modern tools in fishing to achieve a more efficient harvest.

The veteran lawmaker also put emphasis on the construction of post-catch facilities like chillers and refrigerated vans, which would maintain the freshness of the fishermen’s catch.

These would be complemented by the implementation of more infrastructure projects so fishermen would be able to bring their harvest to markets, Roxas said.

He stressed that this is all part of the “Daang Matuwid Bukid Revolution,” which will maximize the potentials of the Philippines’ agriculture and fisheries sectors to achieve maximum inclusive growth. (PNA / Sammy F. Martin)

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