ILOILO City – Businesses dealing with fresh, chilled, or frozen fishery products will soon need to secure a new License to Operate (LTO) from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), as the agency rolls out updated licensing requirements beginning January 12, 2026 under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 273.
BFAR released a detailed guidance this week explaining how the new system will work, part of a nationwide effort to tighten food safety checks and standardize post-harvest operations in the fisheries sector. The rules cover a wide range of facilities — including pre-processing sites, buying stations, and major processing plants — that handle raw or minimally processed aquatic products.
Once the directive takes effect, BFAR will become the responsible agency for issuing LTOs for all fresh-to-frozen fishery and aquatic items, replacing the FDA for these categories. Previously issued Food and Drug Administration (FDA) LTOs will remain valid until they expire and may still be used for the same types of goods.
For establishments whose FDA-issued permits have already lapsed, BFAR clarified that LGU-issued sanitary permits may serve as temporary supporting documents while establishments transition to the new system.
Only land-based post-harvest facilities are required to secure the BFAR-issued LTO; fishing vessels are excluded from the coverage. Meanwhile, operators who handle both fresh/chilled/frozen products and processed fishery items must obtain separate licenses — one from BFAR and another from the FDA.
Renewal of expired LTOs will also be overseen by BFAR starting next year, as mandated by the Food Safety Act (RA 10611). Issuance of renewed permits will come from BFAR’s Central Office upon endorsement from regional offices.
Inspection Rules and Processing Time
Facilities applying for an LTO must undergo inspections to verify compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP). Only those meeting the minimum requirements will be issued the appropriate certificates and LTOs.
The inspection fee is ₱4,000 for manufacturers and ₱2,000 for traders, valid for up to two years. However, BFAR warned that those who fail GMP or SSOP checks — especially establishments required to meet HACCP standards — will not be refunded and will not receive certificates until deficiencies are corrected.
BFAR said LTO processing should take no more than six working days, provided that the inspection report has been released and all documents are complete.
The agency also emphasized that each LTO number is permanent and cannot be transferred to another facility, even if ownership changes.
BFAR urged fisheries operators to start preparing early to avoid delays once the new rules take effect, noting that the transition is intended to strengthen food safety systems and improve consumer protection nationwide./PN
