Reyes goes after illegal fishpens in Laguna Lake

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes warned illegal fishpen operators in Laguna de Bay yesterday that the government would demolish their fishpens if they do not dismantle them themselves before the end of the month.

"Prepare to get your illegal fishpens demolished, by force, if needed. Also, get ready to face criminal charges in court for despoiling the environment," Reyes warned the fishpen operators who have failed to heed his warning last May.

Reyes, in coordination with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), issued the new warning in order to protect the Laguna de Bay from being killed by pollution through overstocking and unsafe fishfarming practices.

"The DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and the LLDA will demolish soon the illegal fishpens in the area, whose operators are hard-headed enough not to dismantle them on their own," he said.

"The three-month grace period which the DENR and the LLDA have given them is almost over. Thus, if these illegal fish operators have some sense, they will now proceed to dismantle their remaining structures before the DENR and the LLDA move in," he added.

Cirio Santiago, chairman of LLDA, said he would mobilize all personnel of the LLDA to cooperate with the DENR in demolishing all the illegal fishpens in Laguna de Bay.

Santiago said this is for the good of the fishermen who, in the long run, would enjoy bigger catch and more income for their families.

Santiago praised Reyes for his political will in protecting the Laguna de Bay.

Last May, Reyes and LLDA general manager Casimiro Ynares announced that the government would remove all illegal fishpens in the lake at the end of three months to save it from further ecological destruction.

The three-month grace period given by the DENR and the LLDA was intended to allow operators of the illegally constructed fishpens to harvest their produce before demolishing their fishcages.

Illegal fishpen structures are those that were constructed outside the designated fishcage belts, or those built without an operation permit from the LLDA, Reyes said.

The demolition of the illegal fishpens forms part of a plan to revive the Laguna Lake.

Recently, the LLDA called on the people of Rizal to help in the preservation of Laguna Lake during the commissioning of nine Bantay Dagat teams from the towns of Angono, Taytay, Cardona, Binangonan, Morong, Baras, Tanay, Pililia, and Jala-Jala recently.

The DENR and the LLDA are strictly enforcing Republic Act 8550, which penalizes the use of illegal fishing methods, and RA 4850, which specifically addresses environmental concerns at Laguna de Bay.

The campaign to reduce pollution at Laguna de Bay recently got a boost when the World Bank decided to fund the LLDA’s efforts to revitalize the lake.

According to country director Joachim Von Amsberg, the World Bank will finance the efforts of the national and local governments to reforest the lands around Laguna de Bay and revive the lake, which has been heavily polluted.