Ouano proves attendance of fishery code protestants in public hearing

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano has refuted the claim of a group of commercial fishing operators that they were given a chance to voice their objection against the fishery ordinance which he authored because they were not invited during the public hearing.

Ouano, in his letter to Governor Hilario Davide III, said that Bisaya Alliance of Fisher folks and Operators for Reforms (BAFOR) officers were invited to attend the public hearing last year.

“BAFOR was also very well informed of the Ordinance as they were provided a copy attached to the invitation; in fact some of their members were able to attend the scheduled public hearing,” Ouano said.

Copy of the attendance sheets was submitted by Ouano to Davide showing the names of BAFOR members who attended the public hearing.

Ouano said that BAFOR was given their chance to voice out their sentiments and objections not only through the public hearing but also through a position paper dated February 28, 2012, signed by their president, Leonida M. Jusay.

“And such act of BAFOR in giving the position paper is of public knowledge as evidenced by a newspaper article of The FREEMAN, dated March 11, 2012,” he said.

In a meeting with Davide, the group asked for the amendment of the Cebu Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Code particularly on the regulation limiting their area of fishing operations.

Patrick Topalla was quoted as saying the ordinance is “anti-commercial fishing.”

The ordinance, which was enacted two years ago, prohibits commercial fishing operators to operate within 10.1 to 15 kilometers area from the shoreline which is identified as municipal waters.

Davide on the other hand told the group to put their objections into writing.

Although he is open to negotiate on the amendment of the ordinance, Davide has cautioned them to respect what the law is disallowing.

Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, however, does not make the prohibition in the area absolute.

Under Cebu Provincial Ordinance 2012-05, the fine is computed based on the paraphernalia on the spot. Thus, if they use boxes as fish container, the fine would be P5,000 multiplied by the number of boxes. (FREEMAN)