The political will in Mangaldan
IT is noteworthy to see Mangaldan, a neighboring town of Dagupan City, was quick to nip the sprouting of illegal fish pens and cages along its Angalacan River in the bud before their presence, could worsen the situation, and corruption becomes widespread.
When Mangaldan Mayor Bona Parayno ordered the immediate dismantling of the illegal fish pens and cages that line up the Angalacan River, she demonstrated a political will rarely seen in many local executives in the province.
It is no secret that operating illegal fish pens is a lucrative venture that pays protection from barangay officials, councilors, police chiefs and chief executives. Mayor Parayno could have simply kept quiet like many other mayors and allowed the unscrupulous businessmen to continue their operations with tacit understanding about the S.O.P.
But she didn’t.
It was obvious that cleaning and clearing the river and its tributaries of pollutants has become her advocacy. Drawing the line today gives that unmistakable resolve of the town’s political leadership to stop illegal fish pens and cages operations.
While other towns and cities tolerate the illegal operations under the guise of a regulatory policy, she won’t have none of it.
She has established in no unmistakable terms that ecological preservation and equitable distribution of resources will be a priority for the benefit of the fisherfolk communities in Mangaldan.
For this remarkable feat, the officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region must not have second thoughts about providing all the support and logistics to keep the Angalacan River clean and its productive development sustainable for its communities, i.e., developing oyster farming.
A regulated oyster farming in the river will, indeed, be a boon to the town. Watch out for the Mangaldan Oysters brand in the markets soon!
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