Barangay brass says 50 fish pens still up
PAST JUNE 15 DEADLINE
DAGUPENOS had expected to wake up on June 15 to see the city’s rivers finally cleared of fish pens after Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez had announced that she directed City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina that all illegal fish pens should be removed by June 15, with no extension possible.
Last July 1, Wednesday, a councilman of Barangay Pugaro confirmed that there are “only 50 fish pens” owned by different individuals in his village operating in his barangay as he corrected the information reported in the media that there are about 500 fish pens in the island barangay.
Barangay Councilman Efren Bautista said during the public on a proposed ordinance prohibiting the establishment of illegal fish pens in Dagupan last July 1, confirmed there are 50 more fish pens in Pugaro but admitted these are new.
When asked to confirm Bautista’s revelation, City Agriculturist Emma Molina said she knew nothing about the existence of the 50 fish pens, and neither was she aware if the barangay council permitted the construction of the fish pens.
“The kagawad said it. I will not dispute it because I am not a resident of the area,” said Molina, adding, “mahirap hong magsabing yes or no because it is the barangay person who is talking.”
When asked about the June 15 deadline given by Mayor Fernandez for all illegal fish pens to be removed, Molina said “Oo, ang alam ko wala na. Pero kung nagpayag (sic) ang barangay, hindi ko alam”.
And when asked about the list of the owners of the remaining fish pens, she pointed to the chairman of the “Bantay Ilog” task force, Maximo Solis, who, she said, keeps a logbook on who the owners are.
The PUNCH tried to reach Solis though his cellphone but to no avail.
Meanwhile, Alfredo Dawana, president of the Fishpond Owners and Fishermen of Dagupan City, said his organization will validate the information provided by Bautista during the hearing.
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