‘We want Madrigal’ Talisay fishermen air grievances to council

CEBU, Philippines – Around 100 small-scale fishermen sought the intervention of Talisay City Council against alleged rampant illegal fishing operations in the city's territorial waters.

Virgilo Oca, president of the United Small Fishermen of the Nagkahugpong nga Mananagat sa Tanke, trooped at the City Hall grounds along with his members as they urged Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to hire former Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force chief Loi Madrigal to head the city's Bantay Dagat.

According to Oca, there must be a concrete action against the long-standing illegal fishing activities citing that the city's Bantay Dagat is not active in its causes.

Oca said if the city will hire Madrigal, small-time fishermen will benefit from this because of his background and dedication in the campaign against illegal fishing.

Oca called on the mayor and the City Council to intensify their efforts against illegal fishing, especially against commercial fishing vessels that encroach territorial waters of the city.

Under the Local Government Code and the [Philippine Fisheries Code], LGUs exercise primary jurisdiction over the protection of municipal waters.

In yesterday's session, the council passed a resolution requesting De los Reyes to stop all illegal operation or encroachment of commercial fishing vessels such as "purse seiner or likum."

"Despite the passage of the Talisay City Fisheries Code, the illegal encroachment and operation of commercial fishing vessels continuously endanger our marine resources at present, which threatens the livelihood of our fisherfolk," Councilor Danilo Caballero said in his authored resolution.

Under Section 47 of the 2nd SP Ordinance Number 2006-01 or the Talisay Fisheries Code, it is unlawful for any person, entity, organization or corporation to engage in the encroachment of fishing vessel in the city water, such as purse seiner or sinsiro.

In a separate interview with the reporters, De los Reyes said the resolution of Caballero should be addressed to City Councilor Antonio "Jojo" Bacaltos, who is the chairman of the Committee on Environment.

"His resolution should be addressed to Jojo and not me," the mayor said.

According to De los Reyes, the resolution of Caballero implies that he is allowing the operation of illegal fishing in the city.

"As if he is blaming me. Wala gyud ta mi-allow og illegal fishing sa atong dagat. Daghang mihangyo kanato nga mananagat nga tagaan lang sila og until December 31 pero we will not allow that because it is illegal," De los Reyes said.

De los Reyes, however, said he already instructed City Police Director Carmelo Dayon to assign two police officers who will assist the Bantay Dagat in the fight against illegal fishing.