The provincial government of Negros Oriental has strengthened its campaign against illegal fishing to protect its municipal waters and marginal fishermen from encroachment by commercial fishing vessels.
Capitol information officer-designate Oliver Lemence told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Thursday that Governor Pryde Henry Teves has ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division (PDRRMD) to make available 24 hours a speed boat for use by the Philippine National Police Maritime Unit (PNP-MU) for their operations.
“The governor recently met with the PNP-MU, headed by Capt. Karl Bonilla, and discussed measures to secure the seas of Negros Oriental against illegal fishing and to protect it from other sea-related crimes, such as smuggling and piracy,” Lemence said in mixed English and Cebuano.
So far, he said the province has not encountered problems on smuggling and piracy according to the maritime police.
Lemence noted that one of the perennial problems faced by marginal fishermen is the encroachment of larger commercial fishing vessels on municipal waters, which by law covers 15 kilometers from the coastline.
Commercial fishing activity is prohibited in the municipal waters as stipulated under the Fisheries Code, he said.
Teves also ordered the release and turnover of another speed boat to Manjuyod to bolster its campaign against illegal fishing, he added.
The governor earlier ordered the temporary stoppage of sand and gravel quarries and small-scale mining in Negros Oriental as part of his administration’s efforts to protect the environment.
Applications for quarry permits will undergo strict monitoring, and require an environmental compliance certificate and a public hearing before these are issued to individuals, business entities, and construction companies, he added.
Source: Philippines News Agency