Napulan sets probe on Carles-Estancia row
A Legislative investigation has been set aimed at resolving the controversies surrounding the comprehensive municipal Fishery Code of Carles, Iloilo .
With the Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as investigating body, First District Board Member Macario Napulan confirmed the committee hearing slated next week.
It was not immediately clear who the resource persons will be yet sources told The News Today (TNT) that among those set to be invited are government officials of northern Iloilo towns.
Foremost to be resolved is the validity and regularity of provisions stated in the latest Carles Ordinance that has thus far triggered complaints from small fisherfolks here.
To recall, small marginalized fishermen of Carles sought for immediate provincial government intervention on a new fishery policy here. Some four weeks into an all-out implementation, all fishing activities – fishing per se and selling of day's catch – are reportedly under Carles 'control.'
Carles Mayor Arnold Betita has since denied such.
Fishermen in island villages reached then by The News Today (TNT) decried what they dubbed "communist-like" regulation. With allegedly no prior notice thus not enough preparation from their end, the fishers for weeks are literally left unable to meet ends meet.
38 year-old Elvis Calidades who hails from two generations of Carles fishers said his family has been suffering the most. A resident of island-Barangay Talingting, he and a companion were the latest 'victims' in a middle-of-the-sea arrest from a team of the town's "Bantay Dagat (Sea Guardians)."
Calidades said the town's sea patrol boat upon seeing his motorized banca (small fishing 'boat') approached and demanded for series of payments. The team said he owes the town P1,700. Either he pay right there and then or the team impounds his banca's engine. Calidades decided to pay up, went back to the island and borrowed all P1,700 from neighbors with a promise to pay once he returns from his fishing the next day.
Apparently the demand was made for new registration, new fishing license and to top it all, notification that whatever the day's catch was, all must be sold to Carles.
Talingting Island by location though is closest to the town proper of Estancia, Iloilo. Northern Iloilo fishers have since traded here where the district's biggest fishing port is located and fish brokers convene.