The LGU of Catbalogan City and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Regional Office 8 (BFAR-RO 8)formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement, last May 27 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, for the release of an amount worth Php 250,000 to be used for the construction and purchase of a wooden patrol boat.

The signatories of the MOA were City Mayor Coefredo T. Uy, representing the LGU; and Mr. Juan Albaladejo, representing BFAR-RO8; with Vice Mayor Manuel Van Torrevillas and Provincial Fisheries Officer Rolando Ay-ay as witnesses.

The said patrol boat will be used by the Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) or “Bantay Dagat” in monitoring violations being commited against the city’s fishery laws. This move comes as part of stricter measures against illegal fishing activities in the area after Catbalogan City was identified as one of the hotspots in the province in terms of dumping ground for dynamite components coming from Cebu and Lucena City.

Aside from providing funds for the purchase of the patrol boat, which will come with a 4DR5 surplus engine with outrigger and other accesories, the signed MOA also states that the BFAR is to conduct paralegal trainings for the LGU-designated FLET and assist the LGU in revising its local fisheries code according to the provisions of RA 8550 (Fisheries Code of 1998) and the Local Government Code. The BFAR is also expected to monitor the use of the boat for fishery law enforcement activities.

For its part, the city government is bound by the MOA to provide qualified personnel that will conduct regular enforcement operations as well as the needed funds for counterpart costs in the operations, maintenance, registration and compensation of the FLET through salaries, allowances or insurance. The City Government is also expected to submit a monthly report on the status of law enforcement activities and initiatives that make use of the patrol boat as well as see to its upkeep and proper use.

The release of the said amount was also made possible by virtue of Resolution 2009-053, which authorized Mayor Uy to receive the same in behalf of the City Government. The said resolution was passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod last May 13, 2009 through the sponsorship of Hon. Ernesto Arcales.