Iloilo River fisherfolk, city gov’t agree on compromise solutions
Fisherfolk who make a living at the Iloilo River and the Office of City Agriculturist met halfway as a result of a recent public forum on the demolition of illegal structures along the Zone 4 of Iloilo River, a report of the City Information Office said.
Almost 80 fisherfolk from barangays South San Jose, Molo and So-oc, Arevalo raised concerns over loss of livelihood with the impending removal of their fishpens locally known as punot.
During the meeting, both parties arrived on a compromise agreement to be considered before the final implementation of the fishpen demolition, according to the City Agriculturist’s report to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
The affected fisherfolk will issue a position paper requesting for a moratorium on the removal of the fishpen until a viable and acceptable alternative livelihood is put in place.
They also plan to take legal action to rescind the regulation ordinance until there is scientific data that directly points to fishpen structures as the real culprit in river deterioration.
They also moved for the amendment of the ordinance to focus on the agreement of proper distance and size uniformity of fishpens that is complimentary to the existing national law.
Also, the affected fishermen will seek technical support to redesign the fishing gear used in the river to make it environmentally-sound.
So-oc village head Zoilo Rojo explained to his constituents the river’s deteriorating condition and flooding problems while San Jose village head Betty Talavera requested for a lenient process, citing financial difficulties of residents dependent on the river during the lean season.*
