Mandaue SP rejects PB fishery measure

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial board member Thadeo Ouano has urged the Mandaue City council to adopt the “Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ordinance of Cebu,” which he had authored, instead of creating another fishery ordinance.

But it seems Mandaue City has a mind of its own.

Ouano reacted after learning that the city council had approved on first reading a proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas which seeks the creation of a Mandaue City fishery code.

Ouano said his fishery ordinance was approved in May 17 this year. It took two years of thorough research before his proposed measure was submitted to the provincial board, he said.

The ordinance seeks to ensure the rational and sustainable development, management, and conservation of marine and aquatic resources in the province as well as to protect the rights of the fishermen, their families, communities, and the general public.

It also aims to establish the Cebu Provincial Marine and Aquatic Resources Adjudication Board.

The ordinance also provides a fine of P5,000 for various illegal fishing activities as well as the confiscation of equipment/accessories used in engaging in such activities as well as confiscation of illegally caught fish or fishery species.

Violators who fail to pay the amount have the option to render community service.

It shall also be unlawful to engage in fishing in municipal waters within the province’s jurisdiction using active fishing gear as well as methods that destroy coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other fishery and marine life habitat.

He also said that instead of creating its own local fishery code, it would be better for the city to adopt his fishery ordinance since it covers all municipal and component cities of the province.

“Let us not compete with each other but rather let us coordinate with each other. Maayo unta og i-dopt na lang nila ning Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ordinance nako,” PB Ouano said.

He said he is not belittling the city council but adopting his approved ordinance would save the city time and effort.

He said a copy of his approved ordinance was sent to the Mandaue City council and was included in the agenda for the council session.

In the agenda, an item which referred to Ouano’s ordinance was marked “for the council’s information,” and the councilors did not bother to read it.

However, in a separate interview with Councilor Lumapas, he said he only knew about Ouano’s ordinance when it was approved but he and his staff were already  working on his draft before Ouano’s ordinance was approved.

 “We also worked hard for this. Masayang ang kahago nako ug sa akong staff if di sad nako mapalabang sa konseho,” Lumapas said.

And as a highly urbanized city, Lumapas said he believes that the council should create its own ordinance befitting the city.

And once his fishery proposal is approved, he believes that this will prevail over the province’s fishery ordinance as city legal officer Giovanni Tianero also opined that since Mandaue City is not under the province, it can create its own ordinance.  (FREEMAN)