Estancia, Carles execs face off in Fishery hearing at Capitol
Controversies hounding the comprehensive Fishery Ordinance of the Municipality of Carles finally heard official discussions in the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
And it was centered into a seeming battle of ports with local government units concerned now expressing intent to build a port for its own use.
With proponents facing off against top officials of its neighboring town, the Municipality of Estancia, once again issues on 'exclusivity' of fish catch here was center of the talk.
Sitting as resource persons of the Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources were Carles Mayor Arnold Betita, Vice Mayor Rodolfo Dumayas and Councilor Frank Andrada. Right next to the mayor was Estancia Councilor Arlen Bacos and two others representing Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda.
Fifth District lady mayors Elvira Alarcon of Batad and Elizabeth Salcedo of Concepcion likewise came. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) likewise sent two senior officials from the BFAR regional office.
Councilor Andrada was most vocal with his sentiments slamming Estancia opposition saying it is one big false notion for Estancia to be known as "Alaska of the Philippines."
In reality, he said, what Estancia really is "is a fishing market of the Philippines."
The two opposing camps argued for continued free trade in northern Iloilo. One concern, Estancia Councilor Bacos said, has been violated and oppressed by the new Carles Fishery Ordinance.
The committee hearing was conducted as a matter of giving due course to the letter-complaint of Mayor Mosqueda. Likewise the hearing served as review on the questioned Ordinance submitted before the SP body.
Present were Committee Chairman Macario Napulan, Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, Fourth District Board Member George Demaisip and Third District Board Member Mar Malones.
Bacos manifested his surprise on the implementation of the Ordinance that he said caught Estancia by surprise. Complaints reaching the municipality then disclosed supposed arrests and blockades preventing small fishers from proceeding to Estancia.
"We have all the documents to back up the complaints… a number of fishing boats were blocked and diverted. Now even the Carles fishers are confused," Bacos said. "Kami diri sa Estancia open kami for free enterprise… yet we never imposed restrictions on them."
For Mayor Mosqueda, the actions of Carles were tantamount to economic sabotage.
Given his chance to explain, Carles Mayor Betita made a direct response – "We are not violating any provision in the Local Government Code… we have the right to protect our municipal and territorial waters. As for allegations on blocking fishers from proceeding to Estancia, that is not true. We are only there to monitor the fish catch."
Betita maintained the need to be stringent on the town's Fishery Ordinance adding that he wants to dispel notion that Carles is the "dynamite-fishing capital of Iloilo."
"Himo na lang sila sang ila Ordinansa ah (Let them come up with their own Ordinance)," he further quipped.