Thursday, August 28, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
Bacoor, Cavite: Gov. Ayong Maliksi and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atieza along with the members of the provincial task force and DENR personnel lead the clearing and demolition of fish pens at the Cavite side of the 1,800 square kilometer Manila Bay on Wednesday morning.
Also involved were 150 fishermen from the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Mangingisda sa Kabite (Pinag-Samaka). Four barges with backhoe provided by DENR took turns in dismantling fish pens, which the mayors of Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta and Cavite City said were owned mostly by wealthy families and had no permit to operate.
“The rapid increase of illegal aquaculture operators in the province is very alarming considering that from the a survey we conducted, 70 percent of them were outsiders. Our local fisher folks are the ones suffering, their catch is no longer abundant to give them sufficient income,” noted Maliksi.
Governor Maliksi has ordered all Cavite mayors to stop issuing permits for the construction of fish pens or fish cages in the bay area of Cavite. According to DENR Secretary Atienza there are 200 fish pens to be demolished within two weeks time.
While local officials were busy helping in the dismantling operations in the coastal area in Longos, Bacoor, about 500 members of Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Maralita ng Cavite, Balikatan sa Komunidad, and Partido ng Manggagawa gathered along the coastal road and denounced the demoliton, as it will result to loss of livelihood for them.
Tonnette Pajaniian, president of Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Maralita ng Cavite said, “Not all fish pens are owned by wealthy people. We have small pens owned by poor fishermen.” The protesting fishermen lied on the pavement to attract attention of Mayor Strike Revilla of Bacoor who witnessed the protest action along the Bacoor coastal road. The mayor promised a dialogue to address the fish pen issue.--Rogelio Limpin
