Remaining 68 illegal fish pens up for demolition
MEMBERS of Task Force Bantay Ilog has recommended the removal of the remaining 68 illegal fish pens located in various rivers of Dagupan that were earlier spared from demolition due to supposed private property ownership claims.
The recommendation was made by the task force, headed by City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina, following their meeting Thursday with Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Windy Co and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Raymundo Gayo.
Ramon Santillan, secretary-general of the Fishpond Operators and Fishermen Association of Dagupan Inc. (FOFADCI) which is part of the task force, expressed confidence that the guidelines drawn in their meeting, including the due notice to be given to the owners of the illegal structures, will be approved by Mayor Belen Fernandez.
The owners of these fish pens or their caretakers will be given 15 days from the receipt of the notice to harvest or transfer their fish stocks and another 15 days to demolish their structures.
Molina said she could start issuing the notices to all owners of illegal fish pens on January 29.
The group agreed in the meeting that all illegal fish pens will be removed even if these are covered by supposed land titles or tax declarations.
Gayo pointed out that since the fish pen areas in question are located in the river, these are parts of public domain and subject to state regulation.
Philippine law prescribes that all lands submerged in water automatically become part of public domain.
YASAR FISHPEN
In a related development, Molina acknowledged the earlier order of the mayor to demolish the fish pen of former Pantal Barangay Chairman Lilia Yasar located in the middle of the Calmay River, which was also the subject of a cease and desist order from the Environmental Management Bureau.
Molina assured that the task force will implement the order but she clarified that Yasar is also entitled to the same due notice.
The task force members include representatives from the City Assessor’s Office, City Legal Office, City Engineering Office, the Dagupan City Police and the Maritime Police.
“I can not do it alone. I need the help of other members of the task force and guidance from the PENRO and CENRO since all the fish pens appear to be covered by land titles, except eight which are covered with tax declarations,” Molina said.
She added that one of the illegal fish pens to be demolished is not only covered by a land title but also an Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
