LINGAYEN–The Dagupan City government has extended the deadline for the dismantling of all fish pens and other illegal structures along rivers in the city from September 1 to the 30th.

Dagupan Mayor Benjamin Lim said the one-month extension is intended to let fish pen owners recover part of their investment by giving them time to allow the fish that they have restocked in June or July to grow bigger for harvesting.

Lim, who took over the mayorship in July, noted that bangus in Dagupan and elsewhere along the Lingayen Gulf coast normally takes 90 days to mature into a marketable size.

At the same time, the mayor stressed that after September 30, there will be no more excuses to delay the removal of all contraptions in the city’s rivers.

Lim made the announcement when he joined on August 24 the signing of a covenant for a province-wide Clean Up Drive of Rivers and Waterways spearheaded by Governor Amado Espino Jr.

CONTRACT VIOLATION

The mayor also said that the city government is set to file cases against the illegal fish pen owners for violation of contract as contained in the Aqua-culture Lease Agreements (ALAs) even as some fish pen owners have earlier threatened to sue the city government for violation of contract.

Lim countered it is the fish pen owners who have actually violated the contract by failing to follow the terms provided under the ALA.

“Let them try (to sue us),” Lim dared the fish pen owners.

The ALA, issued by the city government to fish pen owners, is required by the local ordinance before the construction of structures can commence.

The removal of all fish pens and illegal structures in rivers and waterways in Dagupan is in line with Lim’s announced policy for a one-year moratorium on the establishment of fish pens to give the city’s waters some rest and allow fish and other aquatic life to re-generate.

But before officially declaring the moratorium, city hall will hold a symposium in mid September to be participated in by all stakeholders that include owners of fishponds and pens, fisher folks, bangus wholesalers and retailers, representatives of barangays, advocacy groups, environmentalists, and businessmen to discuss the state and future of the city’s rivers and the aquaculture industry.

The mayor also pointed out a need to amend the existing fishery ordinance which took effect in 2003, particularly the terms for penalties which he said are too light and prone to abuse.—LM

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