THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) has issued performance-based incentive guidelines to award additional fish import allocations for Kadiwa outlets this year.
Under Department Circular No. 53, the supplemental guidelines aim to ensure the timely arrival and orderly distribution of imported frozen small pelagic fish and fishery/aquatic products in Kadiwa stores nationwide.
Early this year, the DA authorized the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of fish to ensure sufficient supply during the temporary fishing ban. The agency earmarks 10,000 MT exclusively for Kadiwa outlets.
The circular requires that all authorized Kadiwa centers or stores exclusively distribute imported fish for the Kadiwa program. Importers must not divert these to other distribution channels unless they have secured prior written authority from the agency.
Under the scheme, eligible importers and fisheries associations or cooperatives will receive additional import allocations, depending on their actual arrivals as of Oct. 31, 2026.
The circular stated that eligible fisheries associations or cooperatives that have utilized at least 90 percent of their import allocations can receive an additional 112 MT of fish imports.
Importers who have used at least 50 percent but less than 80 percent of their allotted import volume will receive an additional 280 MT.
Those with a utilization rate of at least 20 percent but less than 50 percent of their respective allocation will get 140 MT.
The circular stated that eligible fisheries associations or cooperatives that have utilized at least 90 percent of their import allocations can receive an additional 112 MT of fish imports.
Fisheries associations or cooperatives with a utilization rate of at least 60 percent but less than 90 percent will receive 84 MT.
Meanwhile, those who have used at least 30 percent but less than 60 percent will get an additional 56 MT.
Qualified importers who achieve at least 90 percent utilization of their allocation, including any performance-based incentives, will receive their proportional share of any remaining unutilized import volume after granting the applicable bonus.
“The incentive allocation shall be undertaken based on the verified volume of actual importation arrivals and shall be completed on or before Nov. 30, 2026, subject to the availability of remaining MIV (maximum importable volume),” the DA said. (Jordeene B. Lagare © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
