DENR Clears Fish Pens, Cages In Manila Bay

Manila, Philippines -- THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government of Cavite are now dismantling fish pens and fish cages owned by big-time operators in Manila Bay.

The DENR has decided to spare for now the tahongan and saprahan of small fisherfolk in Cavite while the agency looks for ways to help them, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said.

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Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/
By: Jonathan L. Mayuga
Correspondent, Business Mirror
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“I am reiterating my original directive to dismantle first the big fish pens and fish cages in Manila Bay because there are no legal reasons why these structures should remain there.

The tahongan and saprahan owned by small fishermen should be spared at least temporarily, as we are still trying to find ways to help them,” Atienza said.

Atienza, however, clarified that the dismantling operation in the bay area will continue in keeping with the Supreme Court’s order on December 18, 2008, tasking the DENR to spearhead and coordinate with other concerned government agencies in the effort to restore and preserve the water quality of the bay.

“The Supreme Court’s directive is a continuing mandamus. This means that our work will not stop until the restoration of Manila Bay’s healthy condition is achieved,” Atienza said during a dialogue on Thursday attended by officials of the DENR, Cavite Environmental Protection Unit and representatives of Alyansa ng mga Mandaragat sa Bacoor, Cavite, Inc. at the DENR central office in Quezon City.

“I always adhere to the rule of law and, therefore, we should follow the law. But if you say that, in the meantime, we have to deviate a little bit so as not to hit the tahongan and saprahan of the small fishermen, I am agreeable with that. I hope we can find some other ways to help our poor and small fisherfolk in the area,” Atienza said.

Representatives and officials of the Alyansa ng Magdaragat sa Bacoor, Cavite, Inc. have sought a dialogue with Atienza to report alleged harassment being perpetrated by some erring members of the Bantay Kalikasan/Dagat of the provincial government in their area.

Alyansa’s leader Marissa Leona said that at the Bacoor Bay, there are currently 500 tahongan, 200 halaan, 65 saprahan, 100 individual talabahan and 80 individual bintolan that remain in the area after the DENR conducted clearing operations on February 4 with combined elements of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police-Maritime Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

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