By Christine Fabro
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned 20 local government units (LGUs) on Saturday for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) in municipal waters.
In a press release, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that the LGUs were reminded to strengthen the enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and other existing policies for the protection of coastal communities and fishing folks.
He added that IUUF can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisherfolk.
Among the top 20 LGUs with the highest number of encroachment or violation in the use of superlight and other artificial light sources are Tongkil, Sulu; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur; Milagros, Masbate ; Cawayan, Masbate ; San Pascual, Masbate ; Languyan, Tawi-tawi; Calauag, Quezon; Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan; Linapacan, Palawan and Carles, Iloilo.
Also included in the top 20 LGUs are Cuyo, Palawan; Santa Cruz, Marinduque; Madridejos, Cebu; Coron, Palawan; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; Magsaysay, Palawan; Catbalogan City, Samar; Cavite City, Cavite; and Quezon, Quezon.
“Despite the pandemic, we want to remind LGUs of the protection of our aquatic resources which, unfortunately, is still an issue in the country. Para sa 20 pamahalaang lokal na ito na ating pinadalhan ng warning, mahigpit ang ating paalala na pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan,” he said.
Section 98 of the Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654 or the Philippines Fisheries Code of 1998 prohibits use of superlight and other artificial light sources that would attract fish during the night. – DILG/CF-rir
