Achas to DA-BFAR:Submit ‘written’ recommendation on proposed fisheries ordinance

COUNCILOR Christian Rustico Achas urged the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) to furnish in writing the City Legal Office (CLO) of its recommendations on the proposed comprehensive fisheries ordinance of the city.

Achas made the request after finding out that the CLO interposed no objection to the proposed ordinance on the assumption that technical matters were already thoroughly discussed between the City Agriculture Office and the DA-BFAR.

However, it was found out that some provisions are still under study, prompting a representative from the CLO to ask the DA-BFAR for detailed and written comments.

During the meeting, Section 12(b) of the draft ordinance sparked debate, after the DENR representative suggested to scrap it out, because it may contravene the forestry code.

Section 12(b) reads that, ‘No mangrove rehabilitation shall be undertaken by any person/ organization without valid permit issued by the City Local Environment and Natural Resources (CLENRO).

City Agriculturist Paterno L. Gonzales, Jr., argued that CLENRO, the environmental arm of the city, should be involved in overseeing mangrove activities, particularly in cases where it could potentially impede water flow or obstruct navigation zones.