Dagupan targets demolition of 1,460 illegal fish pens, cages
OWNERS ABANDON STRUCTURES
THE removal of some 1,460 illegal fish pens and fish cages in Dagupan City finally started last November 13 with the demolition of abandoned 15 oversized pens and cages located in Barangays Bonuan Gueset, Pugaro-Suit and Salapingao by the Task Force Bantay Ilog created by Mayor Belen Fernandez.
According to OIC-City Agriculturist Patrick Dizon, owners of the seven illegal and oversized fish pens, have been issued notices of violation and demolition on November 11 and four more oversized fish pens will be removed after their owners received their notices of violation and demolition on November 15.
Only 257 structures were issued their respective permits in accordance with the Aquatic Lease Agreement (ALA) signed by their owners with the city government as provided for in the city’s fishing ordinance.
Dizon said most of the fish pens/fish cages that were demolished were already abandoned after their owners completed their harvests.
According to Abel Abueme, head of the Bantay Ilog TF, the owners of the illegal and oversized fish pens signed waivers allowing his personnel to dismantle their fish structures.
Abueme noted that while some fish pen and fish cage owners voluntarily dismantled their structures after their last harvest in response to call of the city government, owners of the bigger and oversized pens and cages, simply abandoned their structures right after taking all their fishes.
The Bantay Ilog TF was accompanied by personnel of the Dagupan Police and of the Police Maritime Group to ensure peaceful demolition of the illegal structures.
Abueme said some of the demolished fish pens were built along navigational lanes blocking not only the passage of bancas and motorboats but the flow of water from upstream of the rivers to the sea.
Saying that demolition is not an easy task, Abueme said the process requires the removal of the bamboo poles erected in the water that the owners can opt to retain.
Demolition of illegal fish pens continues with the issuance of notices of violations to owners of illegal fish pens/fish cages. (Leonardo Micua)
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