MAYOR Belen Fernandez has reconstituted the city’s Task Force Bantay Ilog in a bid to finally do away with illegal fish pens in all the waters of Dagupan City pursuant to an amended ordinance banning all illegal fish pens in the city.

City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina who was retained to head Task Force Bantay Ilog, said Executive Order No. 06, series of 2016 issued by Mayor Fernandez on Jan. 19 expanded the composition of Task Force Bantay Ilog which used to be limited to officials and personnel of the City Agriculture Office (CAO).

The expanded task force now includes representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DENR), the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, chief of the Dagupan PNP, Maritime Police chief, City Engineer, chief of the Public Order and Safety Office, and the chairman of the Fishpond Owners and Fisherfolk Alliance of Region 1 (FOOFARMCO).

The reconstituted task force is tasked to demolish fish pens, fishing corrals and other forms of illegal structures in rivers and tributaries; ensure the free access to the rivers by all the sectors especially the economically vulnerable fisherfolk consistent with the laws, ensure balanced ecology and enhance the quality of the environment and other functions related to the protection of rivers and their tributaries.

A new city ordinance banning all fish pens was enacted by the city council in mid-November last year and became effective in mid-December.

The City Legal Office rendered a legal opinion that the mayor can now order the demolition of all the remaining fish pens even if the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) to the newly enacted ordinance is yet being finalized.

Molina said she had already completed the technical aspects in the proposed IRR and forwarded a copy of this to City Administrator Farah Decano as of Jan. 19 for review and refinements. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments