Malacañang on Friday welcomed the lifting of the “yellow card” issued to the Philippines by the European Union (EU), saying it will have a very big positive impact to the local fishing industry.
”We have a very good news. It’s not just an advisory or a warning that was lifted but how the lifting of the particular card warning actually has a very big impact on the lives of our fishermen and those involved in that industry,” Palace Deputy Spokesman Abigail Valte said at a news briefing.
Valte was joined by Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Asis Perez in the media briefing.
Alcala and Perez thanked President Aquino, as well as the lawmakers, for coming out with measures that prompted the EU to remove the Philippines from the list of countries with yellow warning due to failure to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The EU issued the yellow tag to the Philippines in June 2014 but only 10 months later, the country was able to address the IUU fishing that prompted the EU to lift the warning yellow card.
PNA