ILOILO CITY — The provincial government on Wednesday distributed patrol boats to three local government units (LGUS) to boost their anti-illegal fishing surveillance and rescue operations.
The boats, each costing PHP345,000, were turned over to the municipal mayors and the town’s “Bantay Dagat” task forces of San Joaquin, Miag-ao, and Oton.
The provincial government used its local disaster risk reduction and management fund to purchase the patrol boats.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, also the head of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (PBDTF), said the patrol boats would help the LGUs to catch illegal fishermen trespassing into their municipal waters.
“This will complement the capacity of our local government units to protect, conserve and restore their coastal resources,” he said.
Banias said that the “Bantay Dagat” task forces composed of organic municipal employees and deputized fish wardens would use the patrol boats.
He also said that another batch of four patrol boats would be distributed to the towns of Carles, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy and Dumangas on December 11.
Banias said that all 16 coastal towns of the province now own patrol boats given by the provincial government and government agencies like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Maritime Group. (PNA)
