Proposed amendment to the Fisheries Code approved in principle

In its meeting last week, July 21, 2023, the City Council Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, chaired by Councilor Christian Rustico M. Achas, has approved in principle the proposals of Councilor James K. Judith II to incorporated amendatory provisions in the proposed Fisheries Code of the City.

Judith suggested that the monthly reportorial requirement for fishermen should be made every six months only and should be done by a Barangay Extension Worker (BEW) who will also act as a technician. He or she will be the one to fill in the data fields such as fish catch, consumption, and other activities for the said period. He also proposed that instead of being an annual requirement, the registration or license to fish should be made every three (3) years or triennially.

Judith likewise proposed that for a motorized boat or banca, the requirement for its license renewal should be made biennially, while for non-motorized, it should be done triennially in order to give them sufficient time to recoup their expenses.

For his part, Councilor Agapito Eriberto G. Suan suggested that the proposals by former Councilor Zaldy O. Ocon should be harmonized with that of Councilor Judith so as to come up with the best version.

Meanwhile, Councilor Yevonna Yacine B. Emano cited the need to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) to be headed by Councilor Judith himself. She also said that the IRR should be formulated and other relevant ordinances should be incorporated into the draft Fisheries Code.

Councilor Jay R. Pascual, on the other hand, reiterated the need to approve not only the Fisheries Code but also the Agricultural Code so that the City can implement the various projects lined up for quite some time already.

“Daghan kaayo ta’g pending projects na dili ma implement because wala tay mga ordinances for that. Daghan pud ta’g mga awards unta na makuha like Best (Agricultural and Fisheries) Practices pero wala man tay ordinances to support it,” Pascual clarified.

Upon noting these, Councilor Achas set another meeting to further discuss the proposed Fisheries Code and the integration of all the proposed revisions and inclusion of other significant provisions therein.

“Kanang gipasa na proposals (ni Councilor Judith), gibasa ug gi review namo, naa ni sila (pero) ang problema kay wala gihapon ni na approve, so kinahanglan by next meeting ato ning i-approve ang draft Fisheries Code aron ma-integrate nato ang atong gusto isulod, ug (kung) naay mga amendment, kay karon galisod pa gyud ta kay wala pa tay ordinansa. Ato gyud ning tutokan,” Achas declared.