Mangaldan mayor orders demolition of fish cages, pens
MAYOR Bona Parayno ordered the immediate dismantling of all illegal fish cages and pens that sprouted along the Angalacan River in Mangaldan to demonstrate her resolve to protect her town from the threat of ecological and environmental disasters.
The decision was made following her June 19 meeting with senior officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 1 composed of Sancho Bilog, Senior Aquaculturist of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division, Benjie Oboza, Aquaculturist II, and Chris Cantor, Fishing Regulations Officer I.
Mayor Parayno shared her vision to transform the Angalacan River into an ecotourism site and in order to achieve this, there is a need to promote environmental conservation in the area, while at the same time the opportunities for sustainable economic growth within the community will be provided.
In that meeting held at the municipal hall, Atty. Teodora S. Cerdan, municipal administrator, provided legal arguments justifying the dismantling of illegally-constructed fish cages and pens along the Angalacan River.
Municipal Agriculturist Merle Sali said the Angalacan River is owned by the state and therefore, the construction of fish cages and pens by private parties is deemed illegal and unlawful.
Mayor Parayno stressed that only fishing activities in Angalacan River allowed by the local government are those solely for personal consumption and not for “commercial exploitation.”
Parayno expressed concern that the continued operations of the illegal fish pens and cages unfairly affect small fishermen who rely solely on the river for their livelihood.
She, however, supported BFAR Region 1’s recommendation and commitment to assess the potential of the Angalacan River as aquaculture site for oyster farming that could provide added income-generating program for the townsfolk and the local government.
Parayno said that in any case, the final decision regarding the proposal will need the approval by the Sangguniang Bayan of Mangaldan.
The Mangaldan Public Information Office said the move is part of the municipal government’s commitment to uphold the principles of ecological preservation and equitable distribution of resources among the fisherfolk community of Mangaldan. (Leonardo Micua)
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