Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(BFAR)

March 8, 2019 Dear Unice Robles, I refer to my letter of Feb 15, 2019 02:15:38 PM; about your request under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for Information regarding Fisherfolks and the declaration of Manila Bay as Conservation Area of Sardines. This is to formally acknowledge your request for information from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. With regards to your request, here is our reply: 1) Information/data (area coverage, scope, issuance date/period, technical description of area, i.e.) regarding the declaration of Manila Bay as Conservation area of sardines (fish conservation area) issued by BFAR. As of now, the Bureau, as a national agency, has not declared Conservation Area specific to sardines in Manila Bay. However, LGUs affronting the Manila Bay may have existing ordinances designating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and/or Off-Fishing Season for specific species within their jurisdiction. The LGUs’ jurisdiction of municipal waters covers 15 kilometers from the shoreline. We advise that you seek their respective offices for such ordinances. As part of the thirteen agencies ordered by the Supreme Court to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay, rest assured that the Bureau is committed to revitalize marine life in the bay and stock the Bay with indigenous fish and other aquatic resources. For your second data request, our response to your request is due on Mar 08, 2019 02:15:38 PM. Unfortunately, it is taking longer than expected to deal with your request because we are still consolidating the data. I apologize for this delay but have applied for an extension so we could work further on your request. We hope to be able to send you a response on or before Apr 05, 2019 02:15:38 PM. Thank you. Respectfully, FOI Decision Maker FOI Officer

March 21, 2019 Dear Unice Robles, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Feb 15, 2019 02:15:38 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your Request This is to formally acknowledge your request for information from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. With regards to your request regarding the Number/Statistical data of fisherfolks (living/fishing/living and fishing) in the Manila Bay (or specific parts of Manila Bay), we have attached the data we gathered from the FishR database of the Bureau. Thank you! Respectfully, FOI Decision Maker FOI Receiving Officer