Opposition mayor backs Capitol's drive vs. illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines - An opposition mayor in the north offered to support the anti-illegal fishing campaign of the Province of Cebu using its Monitoring and Control Surveillance (MCS) patrol boat.

Capitol consultant Jose Ma. Gastardo said Tabogon Mayor Eusebio Dungog offered the MCS boat for the operation of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force in northern Cebu.

Dungog is a member of Liberal Party and ally of the Martinezes in the fourth district together with Gastardo.

The task force, in which Gastardo is the coordinator, already has one MCS boat stationed in San Remigio town. 

The MCS boat was awarded to the Municipality of Tabogon by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for having the successful Integrated Coastal Resource Management Program (ICRMP).

Gastardo said the task force admired the support of Dungog, who is looking at the benefit of having the town’s three marine sanctuary also be guarded.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the Capitol is also willing to extend assistance to other projects of Dungog for his cooperation in the anti-illegal fishing campaign.

The MCS boat of Tabogon can be used in the operation in the areas in northeastern Cebu where there is open sea including Bogo and its neighboring municipalities, said Garcia.

But another MCS boat will soon be assigned in Bogo area after fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon asked BFAR for one for unit for his district.

BFAR recently has acquired two patrol boats given by the United States Agency for International Development.

Salimbangon, who chairs the House Committee in Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said he wants to have intensified operations in northern Cebu to protect marine resources especially in the area of Malapascua island where world famous thresher sharks are seen. (FREEMAN)