River clean-up presses on despite harassments
TASK Force Kalikasan, the group undertaking the province-wide river clean-up project, is being harassed by affected fish pen operators but remains unfazed and is pressing on with its mission.
Paterno Orduna, head of the task force, said some “unscrupulous individuals” have begun hampering their work by attacking task force’s volunteers while dismantling illegal fish pens and similar structures.
Last October 8, a certain Jessie Catacutan of barangay Sabangan in Lingayen assaulted PO1 Fernando Quinto, Jr. during a dismantling operation. A case has been filed with the prosecutor’s office against Catacutan.
A separate complaint was also filed against Gernie Padilla, Loreto de Guzman and Sergio Flores, all of barangay Caloocan Dupo in Binmaley town for violation of Republic Act 8550 and for issuing grave threats against Orduna’s deputy, retired police Col. Tommy Cabigas and two team members during an operation.
Orduna further said that a number of fish pen operators attempted to reconstruct their pens after the teams had left.
“Para silang nakikipag-hide and seek sa amin,” he said.
Orduna said he is batting for more and frequent patrols by the police and stronger support from the barangay officials.
FISHING FOR ALL
At the same time, Orduna clarified that the provincial government has not banned fishing in the river tributaries.
“Hindi totoo na ipinagbabawal ang ilog ni Governor (Amado) Espino (Jr.),” he said.
On the contrary, Orduna said with the clean-up drive, particularly downstream of Agno River, which has now been 90 percent cleared, more people are benefitting from the river’s resources.
“Dati diyes porsiento lang ang nakikinabang dyan, yong mga tamad. Maglagay lang sila ng kawayan at nandyan na. Takot namang mangisda ang mga maliliit, kapag nasagi ang kanilang net pagbabayarin sila,” he said.
“Nowadays, everybody is now free to fish in the rivers…Sarap ng pakiramdam na sumasaludo pa sila, naka-thumbs-up,” he said referring to small fishermen.
He added that the lower portion of Agno River was made a priority for the clean-up project to help mitigate flooding.
Coordination work is now being undertaken with local government units for the clearing of other rivers around the province. (PIA)
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