MOA signed to protect 9 Cebu coastal towns

CEBU - The Philippine National Police and the Southwest Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council have signed a memorandum of agreement to strictly enforce coastal laws in the southwestern municipalities of Cebu.

PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa yesterday witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the SWCCRMC represented by Dumanjug Mayor Cesar Baricuatro and the PNP Maritime Group led by Supt. Angelo Sunglao in Moalboal town.

 The MOA is aimed at stopping illegal and destructive forms of fishing in the nine municipalities facing the Tañon Strait; Moalboal, Dumanjug, Badian, Barili, Ginatilan, Alegria, Ronda, Alcantara and Malabuyoc.

Under the MOA, the municipalities will organize a cluster-wide seaborne operative equipped with necessary seaborne paraphernalia from global positioning system units, navigational charts and other logistical requirements.

The Maritime Group will train auxiliaries and fish wardens in detection, monitoring and apprehending illegal fishers while the local government units are tasked to provide funds for the operation of seaborne surveillance.

The Cebu Provincial Government, through Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, also extended its support to the partnership by providing an initial funding of P500,000.

Sanchez lauded the PNP for taking interest in the enforcement of environmental laws, particularly marine protection.

Verzosa assured the public that the police are not only concerned with the maintenance of peace and order but also with enforcement of laws related to protection of the environment.

The program “scubasurero” which was recently launched by Verzosa in Luzon will be the PNP’s environmental program, which involved the cleaning of coasts and ocean beds. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)