BFAR donates P3M patrol boat

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has donated a patrol boat (above photo) worth P3 million to the city government to be used by the latter’s Bantay Dagat team in patrolling the seas against illegal fishing.

Councilor Carlos Jose “Carl” Lopez (right photo), who facilitated the donation, led the “sea trial” of the patrol boat, over the weekend at the Reclamation Area to test its sea worthiness prior to its turnover to the Bantay Dagat in January.

Lopez, who was accompanied by Councilor Homer Bais and City Hall reporters during the test drive, said he will turn it over to Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who will formally turn it over to the City Agriculture Office, which will initially assign it to the Bantay Dagat team of Brgy. Sum-ag.

Lopez said the patrol boat, which can accommodate at most 25 persons, will strengthen the Bantay Dagat’s functions in guarding the seas of Bacolod against illegal fishing.

Complementing the rdonation of patrol boat was the graduation of 17 new Bantay Dagat members who had just finished a three-day course on sea patrol to help the city’s enforcement of fishery laws, he said. (FREEMAN)