By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture is determined to adopt a resolution that would urge the government to launch a massive information campaign that the fish species with the scientific name Plectropomus leopardus should not be called Lapu-Lapu as a sign of respect to a patriotic Filipino forebear.

Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, chairman of the panel, said adopting a resolution would expedite the implementation of a massive information campaign against the dishonorable use of a great Filipino name “Lapu-Lapu” as a fish species.

“There was no objection from the committee members. In fact, the Committee unanimously decided to adopt the same in the form of a resolution to expedite its implementation,” he said in an interview.

“It will be in the form of resolution strongly urging the government to launch an information campaign that the fish should not be called Lapu-Lapu since it has other names. Kasi if we pass a bill, maghihintay pa ng counterpart bill sa Senate,” Romulo said.

He said Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza, principal author of House Bill 2223, which aims to rectify, correct and give justice to the honorable name of Lapu-Lapu as a hero, already endorsed the proposal.

The House leader said they will tackle again the proposal to hear the position of the the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“Hindi dumating ang BFAR during our hearing. Gusto natin nandun sila to hear their position on the proposal,” Romulo said. The Romulo panel initially discussed Radaza’s bill last Wednesday, August 28.

Radaza said it is a “defilement’ that the name of a patriotic Filipino hero is being used to call a fish.

“It is inappropriate, a defilement, and a violation, even if the fish could be the most sought-after, not only in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia,” Radaza said.

Lapu-Lapu is honored by two memoire/documentary films and a giant bronze sculpture of his image in the island of Mactan, she noted.

Under HB 2223, she proposed that Plectropomus leopardus be called and restored to its original name “Pugapo.”

“In yesteryears, the fish Plectropomus leopardus was known in the regions of the Visayas and Mindanao as “Pugapo”. Nowadays, it is alarming that more and more Filipinos prefer to call it lapu-lapu, a disrespect to a patriotic Filipino forebear,” she said.

“For Plectropomus leopardus to be known, named and promoted as a delicious delicacy, let us encourage our countrymen to call it “Pugapo” through this bill,” Radaza said.

HB 2223 tasks the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), to be the major implementing arm of the proposed Act.

The bill mandates the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to prepare advertisements and information campaign on the Act until full compliance is attained.

Local government units are expected to pass local ordinances and disseminate information within their areas of jurisdiction that the fish species be called “Pugapo”, not Lapu-Lapu, according to the bill.