LMP prepares position paper on changes to Fisheries Code

CEBU, Philippines - The League of Municipalities in the Philippines – Cebu (LMP) chapter will come up with its position paper on the proposed amendments to the Fisheries Code and the proposed creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, LMP Cebu president, said they still have to discuss the matter in their general membership meeting following the request of Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, who chairs the House Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

During the general assembly of mayors, vice mayors and barangay captains called by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Salimbangon called the LMP to submit its position paper.

Salimbangon said that only few mayors attended the committee hearing on the proposed measures which he presided over at the Provincial Capitol. Mayor Garcia told The FREEMAN that they will arrive at a consensus as to what areas of concern among the mayors that will be incorporated in their position paper.

One of these is the definition of municipal waters which according to his father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, has conflicting provisions under the present Fisheries Code.

During the committee hearing, Pablo pointed out some conflicting provisions under the Fishery Code such as the definition of “municipal waters” and “commercial fishermen” which have to be ironed out.

The first round of public hearing for the Visayas led by Salimbangon was held in Cebu last July 14.

Cebuano lawmakers and fishery stakeholders in the Visayas have unanimously supported the proposed amendments of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and the creation of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR).

Rep. Irvin Alcala of Quezon Province principally authored the House Bill 3374 but Agham Partylist Rep. Angelo Palmones who heads the Technical Working Group consolidated the six proposed measures into the substitute bill.

According to Rep. Garcia, the creation of DFAR is long overdue after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was put in limbo when it was first attached with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and subsequently with Department of Agriculture. (FREEMAN)