Councilor to JVR: Don't trim down Fiseca staff

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Councilor Antonio "Jojo" Bacaltos is asking Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to maintain the present number of deputized bantay dagat personnel, who are job order workers.

Last week, the Office of the Fishermen Sea and Ecological Care, the city's Bantay Dagat office, received an order from the mayor seeking to decrease the number of Fiseca personnel.

But Bacaltos, chairman on the Committee of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Ecology and Natural Resources Management and the Committee on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources, said the personnel at the Fiseca are just enough and need not to be reduced.

"The Fiseca is a worthy organization known for its contribution in protecting our environment, particularly the aquatic and natural resources," Bacaltos said, adding that the organization was already recognized by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources for what he described was its "active role" in environmental protection and advocacy.

Fiseca has recently deputized 18 personnel but as BFAR advisory, there must be 30 deputized personnel for the three work shifts in a day in order to be more efficient.

The mayor, on the other hand, will wait for the copy of the resolution that was approved by the City Council last Tuesday's council session.

The Fiseca or the Bantay Dagat Task Force fisheries patrol is composed of  job order workers and volunteers who "keep 24-hour watch on the municipal waters in Talisay.

Meanwhile, the City Council approved the resolution of Bacaltos asking the mayor to provide the materials for the repair of Fiseca rubber boat.

The Talisay City government have expressed interest to purchase the 6,102-square meter lot located in barangay Mohon owned by the National Housing Authority.