By Samson Garzon, Jr.,
Victorias City Agriculturist
A public hearing on Coastal
Fisheries and Resources Management (CFRM) was conducted by the Victorias City
Council’s Committee on Agriculture at Villa Miranda, Brgy. VI-A last July 6.
The activity was made more meaningful
with the presence of Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca and Vice Mayor Jerry Jover
who gave their inspiring messages to the fisher folks.
The Committee Chairman on Agriculture,
Councilor Abelardo Bantug III (author of the CFRM Ordinance) was accompanied by
City Councilors, Sulpicio Montinola, Jr., Dexter Senido, Ronilo Sarito, Teodoro
Panisales, and Godiven De Dios.
The proposed ordinance has the
following provisions:
1. Promote food security as
the major consideration in the utilization, management, development,
conservation and protection of fishery resources;
2. Sustainably use fishery
and aquatic resources through limiting
access to the resources of the city for the use and enjoyment of its common
folk;
3. Ensure the rational and
sustainable development, management and conservation of the fishery and aquatic
resources of the city consistent with fundamental objective of maintaining
sound ecological balance, protecting and enhancing the quality of the
environment;
4. Protect the rights of
fisher folk in the preferential use of the municipal waters to include
safeguarding municipal fishing grounds against intrusion of large scale fishing
vessels;
5. Provide support to the
fishery sector, including women and youth sectors, through utilization of
appropriate technology and research, adequate financial, production and
marketing assistance and construction of post harvest facilities;
6. Manage fishery and aquatic
resources, in a manner consistent with the concept of an integrated coastal
area management and enhancing the people’s participation in management of
coastal resources (Section 3. CFRM Ordinance).
Another salient feature of the CFRM
Ordinance is stipulated in Section 11, regarding Licenses and Permits.
It states that no person shall be
allowed to gather, take or catch fish or other aquatic products, or to engage
in gathering, taking or catching fish or other aquatic products by means of
nets, traps, or other fishing gears within the jurisdiction of the city or by
means of fishing boats or any vessel unless provided with necessary
license/permit issued for the purpose by the Mayor.
The details and schedule
of fees and other charges are enumerated in Section 47.
The implementation of the ordinance,
in Section 65, states that the CFRM division under the City Agriculture Office
shall take the lead in the implementation of this ordinance in coordination
with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),
Fishery Law Enforcers/deputized fish wardens and all other law enforcement
agents authorized by existing laws to enforce fishery law, rules and
regulations. Provided, that, the mayor
or his/her duly authorized representative shall have the authority to prosecute
or file appropriate complaint to the concerned court or judicial body against
the violators of this ordinance.
After the ordinance was thoroughly
discussed, an open forum followed where the audience were given the chance to
clarify and asked questions about the presentation.
There was also a raffle draw for door
prizes which brought excitement and joy to the fisher folks.
Many of them went home with smiles on
their faces for they were not only given information about the ordinance but at
the same time also given something to bring home to their kids and families.
They were very thankful to our supportive
and generous city officials.
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