ILOILO –The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Carles, Iloilo called on the government for assistance in solving their illegal fishing problem.
Mayor Siegfredo Betita requested aid from the national and provincial government to combat illegal fishing, as they lack the funds and proper logistics to do so.
“What we need is the national and provincial help. Local could not totally stop, we can probably minimize because our Bantay Dagat is not big and fully armed and our resources is not enough because the IRA (Internal Allotment Revenue) based on the land area, not in the sea area,” Betita said.
He said that many LGUs had created measures and deputized barangay chairmen and councilors in the “Bantay Dagat” to help with the issue.
However, Betita explained that their patrol boats were small compared to the illegal fishing boats. Some of these illegal fishermen allegedly carried weapons.
“Ang mga fishermen na ya dalagku na ang boats nila and may allegation that they are armed. And, also considering the fact ofcourse nga the municipal waters of Carles is very wide occupies almost 1/4 of the Visayan Sea so ang operational fund para to stop illegal fishing is not enough.”
According to Betita, P 1 million in logistics support was allocated to the reactivated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council set to operate 24 hours every day.
The “Bantay Dagat” however, is not able to stay on the beaches, especially in bad weather.
“I have allocated P1million for logistic supports. Yon ang ginagawa natin pero we could not stay there kon ang weather is very bad, dalagku ang balud, yong wind is very strong we are also looking the safety of our Bantay Dagat.”
Betita informed Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. that most of the illegal fishers were from Bantayan, Cebu; Roxas City; and Masbate City.
He said these fishermen have “spotters” looking out against the “Bantay Dagat,” which is why they are able to evade authorities.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said concerned LGUs must strengthen the enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and other existing policies to protect coastal communities and fishing folks within their jurisdiction.
“Despite the pandemic, we want to remind LGUs of the protection of our aquatic resources which, unfortunately, is still an issue in the country. Para sa 20 pamahalaang lokal na ito na ating pinadalhan ng warning, mahigpit ang ating paalala na pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan,” Año said in a press release.
The DILG official said these LGUs were informed of the total number of the IUUF committed in their areas using satellite technology.
“IUUF (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing) can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisher folk kaya napakahalagang tutukan ito ng mga LGUs,” he said.
Based on data, Carles, Iloilo ranked 10th in the list for cases of IUUF violations – 762 total detections./PN
