Alliance Forms To Strengthen Bantay Dagat Activities Against Illegal Fishing In Pacific Towns

Sept. 12,2011

Alliance Forms To Strengthen Bantay Dagat Activities Against Illegal Fishing In The Pacific Towns
by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte- With the existence of illegal fishing activities that proliferates in various parts of the province, including the Pacific areas covering six municipalities facing the open Pacific Ocean, have decided to organize themselves into an association called Pacific Alliance of LGUs for Marine Development.

This was the information relied by PENRMO(Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office) head Eva Abad during a recent interview of which fisherfolks in the province consisting of 18 municipalities were under its supervision.

Abad disclosed that 1% part of the 20% Economic Development Fund from the IRA’s of each town was set aside as part of the organization’s funds for their Bantay Dagat operation in the municipalities’ respective municipal waters.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was assigned last September 2010 by the Chief Executive of each six towns of St. Bernard, San Juan, Anahawan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan and Silago.

The PENRMO head also revealed that the MOA is being renewed every 3 years, based on the mayor’s term of office. It would be followed by an election of new officers of the fishermen’s association.

Prior to the existence of the PAO-LGUsMD,a feasibility study on the proposed project and other activities relative to the Bantay Dagat activities was conducted for 3 years before it was adopted and implemented, Abad said.

The fishermen-members have also undergone workshop/seminar and planning to build up their capability and capacity which was under the sponsorship of GTZ (now German International Cooperation (GIZ) and the provincial government thru the PENRMO office.

Abad informed that during the workshop/seminar the fishermen were strongly encouraged to actively participate and contribute their ideas and opinions which could be utilized for inclusion in their manual of operation.

She further said that whoever would be elected as chairman and vice-chairman of the fishermen’s organization, who were customarily are both mayors, incidentally the trusted Treasurer’s office would be holding his office at the Chairman’s town hall.

She also disclosed that the German International Cooperation has provided the Pacific fishers’ alliance some equipments /gadgets to 6 municipalities in accordance with their various requests as needed like searchlight,binoculars,waterproof flashlights,2 digital cameras, first aid kits,compass,megaphone,life vest,laptop,LCD and Geographic Positioning System(GPS).

However, Abad did not reveal if the Pacific alliance of fishermen in the Pacific towns have already apprehended some illegal fishers in the area.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

New Maasin Maternity and Children Hospital
R.K. Kangleon St., brgy. Abgao,Maasin City, Southern Leyte
Telephone no.(053)381-2371.A walking distance from J Marketing
Corporation and INKMORE (tel. no.(053) 570-8719

Abby Dyanne’s Enterprises & Printing Press
169 E. Rosales St, Tagnipa, Maasin City, So.Leyte
Telefax no.(053)570-9759,mobile phone no.
09278609437; 09155555875; 09176323264
Services offer: Tarpaulin printing starts today, Sept. 5, 2011;
Photocopy; Risograph; Lamination; Calendars; Button Pins;
PVC IDs; Business Receipts; Photo Printing, etc.
Abigail Daclan Palermo, Proprietor/Manager

Supercha 1 Food Hauz & Catering Services
Telephone nos.(053)570-8623; (053)381-2233
Visit website: www.supercharesto.multiply.com

Kinamot Sa Abgao Restaurant.Tel. no. (053)381-3878.
Villa Romana Hotel.13 airconditioned rooms with TV sets,etc.
Tel no.(053)381-0639.Tomas Oppus St.,brgy. Abgao, Maasin City.