No more big fish pens and fish cages in the river

(City Agriculture Officer Emma J. Molina (4th standing, right) personally supervises the demolition)

Photo courtesyL Jojo Tamayo

Although there were already 900 illegal fish pens demolished, Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez ordered City Agriculture Officer Emma J. Molina and Marjorie Villanueva to double time the demolition of hundreds of illegal fish pens in the rivers of the city and meet her two weeks ultimatum.

This was after Dr. Westly Rosario of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) informed Fernandez that these fish pens affect the water quality of the rivers and may cause total deterioration on it.

According to Fernandez, due notice was given to the owners of these fish pens. The City Agriculture Office (CAO) has informed and gave notice a month ago that they must demolish their own structure, but despite of the apprehension given to them, they continue with their illegal works. Bantay Ilog Task Force acted on the issue and helped remove big fish pens.