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[av_heading heading=’Mayor told to look into fishery centers’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – Councilors wanted Mayor Evelio Leonardia to look into the fishery centers in three coastal barangays.
The Aquapolis Livelihood and Training Centers in Pahanocoy, Punta-Taytay and Banago were in a dire situation, the Sangguniang Panlungsod said.
Members of the committee on fisheries and aquatic resources led by Councilor Bartolome Orola inspected the centers from Sept. 15 to 16.
They found out that some residents put up shanties at the centers’ premises.
In Punta-Taytay, the center, which includes a market hall, ceased to operate as a strategic fish landing center, the councilors said.
A portion of it was “converted into a dumping site,” and the center in Banago was in a similar situation, they said in a resolution.
The structures were a project of the city government. They were built in 2000.
They aimed to address the needs of commercial fishing boats and operators, fishers, fish processors, and exporters, among others, and to improve the fish trade and industry not only in Bacolod but in the region as well.
Councilors wanted the City Mayor’s Office, through the City Administrator’s Office, to recommend the centers’ rehabilitation.
Leonardia must also seek livelihood training and revenue-generating programs through the centers with the concerned barangays, they said.
Leaving the structures to “deteriorate naturally” is “a lost opportunity for all residents in the coastal areas,” said the councilors.
They said the residents will be deprived of the “right … to enjoy the thriving fishing industry.”/PN
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