'SP review is no longer in the process,' Carles official tells SP body
First District Board Member Macario Napulan called it a ' brewing conflict.' Vice Governor Rolex Suplico likened it to a "growing controversy." Fourth District Board Member George Demaisip pushed for clarifications in stated provisions. Yet when discussions got to one invited resource person, the answer was crisp and clear, the review being done by the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) is seemingly moot and academic.
In fact, the review before the SP "as a process" is really not within the supposed process. The assertion came from Carles Councilor Frank Andrada, one of the principal proponents of the now controversial Comprehensive Fishery Code of Carles.
Presented for deliberation, the SP's Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducted yesterday's probe. The focus was the implementation of the Ordinance pointed out by the proponents as legal and just.
The discussion further touched on the aftershock of the Ordinance that triggered the resignation of Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda from a Malacañang-backed alliance for northern Iloilo coastal towns.
Said issue though 'baffled' other alliance members particularly Batad Mayor Elvira Alarcon saying she and other Fifth District mayors are at a loss on what triggered the Estancia-Carles conflict.
Vice Governor Rolex Suplico called on the alliance chair to mediate between the two mayors.
Meantime, a call to substantiate claims of illegal acts was made by Board Member Napulan.
The letter of Mosqueda was used as primary basis of yesterday's hearing as presented before the SP body.
"Please be informed that disturbing reports coming from our personnel on the ground as well as affected fish vendors coming from the neighboring barangays, towns and nearby provinces disclose a series of alleged illegal acts committed by some unscrupulous local officials of the Municipality of Carles in cahoots with some local enterprising fish vendors of Estancia," the letter began. "The alleged illegal acts are not only confined to harassments and intimidation but to actual blockade of fishing vessels navigating through the territorial waters of Carles going to the port of Estancia…."
Two lady mayors – Concepcion Mayor Elizabeth Salcedo and Batad Mayor Elvira Alarcon – expressed agreement on the controversial Ordinance saying if given the chance and funding, they would also want to have their own port and call on their fishers to unload there as well.