Dagupan SP passes ordinance for lower registration fees
BOATMEN GET 50% DISCOUNT
THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) finally passed an ordinance “prescribing the schedule of fees on: Operation of fishing boats and operation of motorized bancas and boats for passenger, merchandise, cargo ferrying and other purposes.”
The newly passed ordinance No. 815-2022 gave 50 percent discount in fees for the registration of motorized bancas for fishing, passenger service, cargo and other uses within the city of Dagupan, to benefit the boat owners and operators severely affected by the pandemic.
The newly approved ordinance was authored by Councilors Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto. Marcelino Fernandez and Joshua Bugayong, all members of the minority, and sponsored by Councilor Alvin Coquia, a member of the majority and chair of the committee on agriculture of the SP.
The newly approved ordinance amended Ordinance No. 1768-2003, otherwise known as the Dagupan City Coastal Fisheries Resource Management Ordinance of 2003.
A communication of Mayor Belen Fernandez to the SP sought the passage of the proposed ordinance, which she dubbed as urgent, but whose urgency was earlier ignored by the majority and called for a public hearing before the measure could be passed.
Those who attended the pubic hearing were barangay officials, affected boat owners and operators, officials of the PNP Maritime Command, Office of the City Treasury and of the City Agriculture and other concerned department.
Councilor Michael Fernandez, the minority floor leader, thanked Councilor Coquia and other members of the majority in the city council for improving on their original version of the ordinance and for passing the same
He said the ordinance also amended outdated penalties for violators, noting that motor boats from other coastal areas of Pangasinan opted to operate in Dagupan where the penalties imposed to violators are low as compared in the respective given towns.
Many boat owners and operators reportedly resisted registering their boats because of the high cost of registration fees, but if not registered, they will not be entitled to receive livelihood assistance like paraphernalia, equipment and other assistance from the city government.
Vic4r Mayor and SP presiding officer Bryan Kua said the ordinance was passed without no objection from the body. (Leonardo Micua)
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