Capitol says ‘Ilog ko…’ program overcame obstacles
THE provincial government now proudly claims that it has weathered the most difficult challenges in its coastal and river clean-up efforts under the Ilog Ko, Bilayen Ko tan Aroen Ko program.
“We have prevailed against all odds,” said Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan during the KBP Forum last week.
Baraan said the biggest challenge was the dismantling of illegal fish pens because it involved dislocating a few people who were engaged in fish cage operations.
“Implementing it was tantamount to political suicide,” Baraan said, adding that it took strong political will on the part of Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to pursue the program.
“He (Espino) is the only governor determined to clean the rivers,” he said.
Baraan said the dismantling affected some moneyed fish pen operators and today more marginalized fisherfolks in the communities are now benefitting in the revitalized waters.
The provincial government will soon allow the installation of fish pens, but only during specified periods and not year-round.
Other components of the program are river dredging, mangrove planting and dispersal of fingerlings in the river systems to revitalize the ecosystem.
Baraan called on all local governments in the province to implement their respective fishery codes or adopt the provincial fishery code.
The Ilog Ko, Bilayen Ko tan Aroen Ko program as well as the Mangrove Reforestation Program has won for the province Likas Yaman Awards from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (PIA-Pangasinan/ARF)
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