LAOAG CITY — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has established another sub-station in Balaoi village in Pagudpud town to speed up the delivery of maritime law enforcement and security services, particularly in search and rescue operations.
In Ilocos Norte, the main station of the PCG is located in Currimao town in the second district of the province with sub-stations in Pasuquin and now in Pagudpud located in the province’s first district.
Residents have welcomed the establishment of Coast Guard sub-station here in an effort to prevent illegal fishing, which remains a problem in this northern part of Luzon.
Arthur Valente, fishery regulatory officer, reported on Wednesday that poachers were again spotted in the Ilocos coastline from Pasuquin to Pagudpud town, but law enforcers, including the PCG, admitted they have no access to bigger patrol boats to go after them.
“If this continues, the livelihood of our small-time fishermen will surely be affected,” he said.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos has appealed to the national government, particularly the Philippine Navy, to go after and apprehend these foreign fishing vessels. (PNA)
