DETERMINED to protect its coastal resources, the Dagupan City government is adopting an Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) plan with help from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region I.

Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, along with her department heads, met with DENR officials last August 6 to discuss the ICM and future strategies to be implemented in the city, which has been identified by DENR as a key biodiversity area.

One of the first steps taken by Fernandez upon assumption into office in July was to order the complete demolition of all illegal fish pens in the city’s rivers by August 31.

The owners of the illegal fish pens have been given a chance to remove their own pens but City Agriculturist Emma Molina warned that her office will issue the demolition order if they fail to voluntarily remove them.

“The city should have no illegal fish pens after August 31,” Fernandez told her.

During the ICM meeting, among the issues discussed were informal settlers in coastal areas, poorly planned infrastructure projects, illegal man-made structures, poor implementation of laws, low public awareness on environmental issues and lack of fund.

A series of multi-stakeholder consultation will be conducted by the city government to ensure the program’s sustainability.

Regional Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel said DENR Region 1 will provide technical assistance in the preparation of the ICM Plan as he underscored the importance of collective efforts in maintaining and protecting the city’s coastal resources. (CIO)

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