Northern towns launch council vs. illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines - The Far North Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council was formally launched yesterday in the municipality of San Remigio as host town through the signing of a memorandum of agreement led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia followed by the distribution of gadgets for the Bantay Dagat.

Composing the cluster are the municipalities of San Remigio, Medellin, Tabuelan, Tuburan and the City of Bogo led by their respective mayors.

“The Far North Cebu LGUs will work together within their common coastal ecosystem in order to maximize resources and the benefits which will be gained from collaboration,” the agreement stated.

Signatories of the agreement are Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, San Remigio Mayor Jay Olivar, Tabuelan Mayor Rex Casiano Gerona and Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante.

Those who signed as witnesses were Garcia, fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Provincial Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. and Director Andres Bojos of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7.

Garcia thanked the mayors for showing their enthusiasm in forming the cluster purposely to eliminate illegal fishing in the area.

Garcia said that it is difficult to pursue the campaign if the local government units are not “honestly and unquestionably against illegal fishing.”

The BFAR provided the fourth district two patrol boats upon the request of Salimbangon supposedly to be stationed in Bogo City and Tabogon.

But Garcia requested one unit intended for Tabogon be used instead by the far north cluster as the municipality has no problem yet regarding illegal fishing and besides, it has its own patrol boat.

Bojos heeded the request of Garcia and the boat is set to be turned over to the cluster next week.

Garcia also turned over yesterday a check worth P500,000 to the cluster as its seed fund to pursue their projects.

Each member LGU also got a Global Positioning System device, 10-million candlepower searchlights and insurance policies for Bantay Dagat.

Garcia also inducted the officers of the cluster’s Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council led by San Remigio councilor Antonio Villamor as its chairman.

Salimbangon also promised to allocate funds in support of the anti-illegal fishing campaign particularly in the northern Cebu. (FREEMAN)