The militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas on Sunday called on the Laguna Lake Development Authority to revise its board resolution ordering the dismantling of fish pens in Laguna de Bay.
Pamalakaya said Resolution No. 518 will not spare small fish cages and fish traps (baklad) in the 90,000- hectare brackish lake.
The order would implement President Rodrigo Duterte directive to dismantle wide fish pens, fish cages and fish corrals in efforts to restore the lake’s ecological system.
The campaign against wide fish pens was initially lauded by the small fisherfolk from Laguna de Bay as this will bring back their common fishing grounds that were previously monopolized by big-aquaculture firms.
Environment Secretary Regina Lopez earlier assured small-scale fisherfolk that they will be protected from the clearing operations.
“We reiterate our ardent support with the government’s anti-fish pen campaign. Although both the LLDA and the DENR have verbally assured us that small fish cages and baklad will be spared, we can’t relieve our worry because it is written in the board resolution itself that all enclosed structures, whether large or small will be ejected. We also fear that shanties and houses situated on top of the lake will be categorized as ‘other structures’ that is included in the resolution” Pamalakaya chairperson Fernando Hicap said.
Environment Undersecretary Arturo Valdez said operations of fish pens in Laguna de Bay are considered illegal since Jan. 1 after the permits of operators expired on Dec. 31.
“We have imposed a total moratorium on the renewal of permits. This means fish pens can be dismantled anytime,” he said.