THE Dagupan City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has agreed in principle to endorse the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) application for a usufruct over 24,000 square meters of foreshore land in Barangay Bonuan Binloc. The area has long been occupied by BFAR as the site of its research facilities for various fish species, including bangus.

The endorsement came during a recent committee hearing on a proposed resolution authorizing Mayor Belen Fernandez to sign a usufruct agreement with BFAR. The session was jointly conducted by the committees on fisheries and agriculture chaired by Councilor Marcelino Fernandez; environment, headed by Councilor Jeslito Seen; tourism, headed by Councilor Karlos Reyna; and laws and ordinances, chaired by Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo with Councilor Michael Fernandez as vice chair.

BFAR representatives explained that the 24,000-square-meter foreshore land is in addition to another 20,000 square meters it occupies. The latter was part of public land covered by Proclamation No. 90, signed by then-President Diosdado Macapagal in 1963, and later given to the Ministry of Human Settlements in 1983 during the term of then-Mayor Cipriano Manaois.

The site now hosts the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC).

The SP requested BFAR to bring its geodetic engineer to the next hearing to coordinate with Acting City Assessor Roland Suni and present technical documents describing the foreshore area covered by the proposed agreement.

Councilor Tamayo emphasized that the SP wants to ensure BFAR’s application will not conflict with the city’s own application for a miscellaneous lease agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which covers nearby foreshore areas eyed for development as a rest and recreation zone. (Leonardo Micua)