Bantay Dagat needs P40 million for new boats

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission (BDC) needs at least P40 million for the acquisition of new floating assets.

BDC executive director retired Lt. Col. Alex Soledad said over the City’s Sugboanon channel that the amount will be used to purchase a multi-purpose vessel and pump boats.

He said the old floating assets of the commission were badly damaged during the super typhoon Odette in 2021. According to Soledad, they need the new floating assets for rescue operations and monitoring of the city’s coastlines.

Soledad said he already submitted a budget proposal to BDC chairman Ernesto “Estong” Rama.

Meanwhile, Soledad urged the fishermen in the city to register in compliance with City Ordinance 2447. When registering, fishermen need to include their fishing gears as well as pump boats.

“Dili ra sila, kinahanglan i-rehistro ang ilang fishing gears ug ilang mga pump boats,” said Soledad.

The commission stressed the need to register to regulate and organize the fishermen for their safety and security.

“Tuyo ug tumong nato for security and safety reasons. Naa man gu’y mga fisherfolks ug pump boat owners nga gamiton nila ilang sakayan sa illegal o gamiton nila adto sila sa laing lugar para mobuhat og illegal activities,” Soledad said.

“At least, makaila ta kung diin ni gikan ang ilang rehistro. Ug para sad ma-secure sad ni sa atong mga operators ug fisherfolk,” he added.

In line with this, BDC has already conducted information dissemination drive in the coastal barangays concerning the mandatory registration. BDC will issue licenses to duly registered fishermen and color-coded stickers for their vessel and gears.

Failure to enlist would mean penalty once they are caught fishing without license. —/FPL (FREEMAN NEWS)