MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued its last appeal to fish pen operators to conduct self-demolition at the Laguna Lake before the government start a massive clearing operation.
Environment Undersecretary Arturo Valdez, who heads the dismantling operations, said the DENR was giving operators the chance to save their assets and other equipment.
“Once we begin the operation, all assets affected by our dismantling activities will be confiscated in favor of the government,” he said.
“The dismantling of fish pens is not simple. There are posts and nets that’s why it’s better for the owners to dismantle it themselves. You take care of your materials, those are expensive after all,” Valdez added.
President Duterte earlier directed the demolition of fish pens as part of the government’s goal to ease congestion and prioritize small fisher folks in the area.
“The DENR is dead set on implementing it unless of course a new directive from no less than President Duterte is given,” Valdez said.
Fish pens in the area cover almost 13,000 hectares while the ideal carrying capacity of Laguna Lake is around 9,000 hectares only.