Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR)

September 25, 2023 Dear Cristina Eloisa Baclig, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Sep 12, 2023 08:16:23 AM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your Request You asked for the following informations: 1. Total area of mangrove forests converted into fishponds for commercial fish and shrimp farming within the period of 2000-2022. 2. Locations of mangrove forests converted into fishponds for commercial fish and shrimp farming within the period of 2000-2022. 3. Total area of abandoned fishponds that are converted back into mangrove forests within the period of 2000-2022. 4. Locations of abandoned fishponds that are converted back into mangrove forests within the period of 2000-2022. Response to Request This is in response to your request for data on the mangrove forests in the Philippines. We have no available data on the location and total area of mangrove forests converted into fishponds per year, but the total areas that were released to BFAR by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from 1978 to 1994. Further, we are coordinating with DENR (FMB, LMB, and NAMRIA) to map all these released areas to identify those areas that are yet to be issued with Fishpond Lease Agreement (FLA). We may provide data on the existing FLAs. Lastly, may we refer you to the DENR on the status of the 1,049.2961 hectares of public lands reverted to their jurisdiction, for mangrove reforestation, as these areas were determined by BFAR to be no longer suitable for fishpond purposes. DENR contact details: Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga Office of the Secretary Tel. No. 8925-8277,8920-4301 Trunkline No. 8929-6626 local 2295, 2013 IP Phone Trunkline No. 8249-3367, 8248-3367 local 1103, 1105 Thank you. Your right to request a review To improve our services in eFOI request, please click the link below or scan the attached QR code for feedback purposes. Your feedback is highly appreciated. https://forms.office.com/r/dENApypcSS If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Director's Office at [email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011). Thank you. Respectfully, Central Office - MILDRED M. BUAZON FOI Receiving Officer