LINGAYEN—The hemming and hawing by the Sual local government in defending the controversial presence of some 778 fish cages near the Sual Power Plant in the past weeks did not help its cause.

To end the contentious and emotionally charged discussions, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) finally told the provincial government that the operations of all the fish cages in Sual are illegal.

This was the position submitted by DENR-EMB Regional Director Joel Salvador during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s inquiry on the controversy during the board’s regular session on October 21, 2013.

His revelation that while an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) was issued to a 10-hectare mariculture zone, good for 50 fish cages, “all the fish cages are outside that zone,” surprised the board members.

In justifying the cease and desist order, Salvador cited Presidential Decree No. 1586 that states, “No person, partnership or corporation shall undertake or operate any such declared environmentally critical project or area without first securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the President or his duly authorized representative.” 
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Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Nestor Domenden affirmed Salvador’s position and added that their techno-demo structure is the only one that can be found in the designated zone.

The mariculture zone was not used at all by the fish cage owners, according to Domenden.

The mariculture zone is located at Cabalitian Bay Area and the 778 fish cages given permits by the municipal government without the necessary ECC were positioned along Pangascasan and Baquioen areas.

Domenden noted that Sual government clearly failed to monitor the indiscriminate construction of the fish cages after issuing the local permits to operate.

But Municipal Administrator Ramonito Sabido, representing Mayor Robert Arcinue  quickly pointed out that there were “considerations” taken by the LGU in issuing the permits but did not further elaborate.

Meanwhile Pangasinan Provincial Police Office Director Marlou Chan said his command is ready to assist the provincial government in response to the request of Salvador for police assistance in dismantling all 778 cages owned by 31 operators that were issued cease and desist orders (CDOs) last October 8,

“We intend to take up this matter at the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee when we convene,” he said.

Apart from the order to stop the continued presence of the illegal fish cages, the operators were also fined Php50,000 for each fish cage that measured 19 meters in diameter and seven meter in depth.

Salvador said that the operators have been given 15 days upon receipt of the CDO to submit written explanation and to apply for their ECCs.

The controversy arose from the letter of Sual Power Plant manager and vice president for operations Engr. Ruben Licerio requesting the enforcement of a distance of at least 350-400 meters between the fish cages and the plant as the structures pose hazards to the operation of the 1,200-megawatt-power-provider plant.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. said the controversy could have been avoided if only all the issues were processed according to law and all agencies concerned cooperated.

“We live in a country of rules and procedures,” the vice governor reminded the parties involved.  (With report from Johanne R. Macob)

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