Atty. Gloria Ramos
Despite the dark clouds and drizzles that pervaded last week due to the slow-moving typhoon Urduja, the mood was festive.
The 2nd Tañon Strait Enforcement Summit convened by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its Tañon Strait Protected Area Office, was off to an exciting start.
Held in Cebu City, Undersecretary for Fisheries and National Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, retired Commodore Eduardo Gongona, led the luminaries from the various government enforcement agencies and community leaders who graced the event.
The Summit’s theme, “Celebrating Successes, Strengthening Initiatives, Eliminating Barriers,” captured the impressive evolving story of Tañon Strait — one of the country’s biggest marine protected areas.
A migratory pathway for half of the entire species of whales and dolphins in the country, Tañon Strait was a “paper” protected seascape for decades since Presidential Proclamation No. 1234 was promulgated in 1998. The deteriorating condition of the artisanal fisherfolk was alarming, as fish catch had been declining principally attributed to the pervasive illegal and unregulated fishing happening in the area.
While commercial fishing under the Fisheries Code, RA 8585, is banned in all municipal waters, and Tañon Strait is all-municipal waters, it was pervasive.
Except for a handful, coastal local government units, which have jurisdiction over municipal waters, did not implement the law. Fisheries management was clearly not a priority.
Some of them did not have active Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council. LGUs did not file cases against violators, opting for fines for a measly sum, not exactly a deterrence to the commission of the offense.
Not a few well-meaning enforcers faced harassment suits to chill them from doing their job. Called strategic lawsuit against public participation (Slapp), this strategy is frowned upon under RA 10654 which amended the Fisheries Code.
The policy-making body, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), was convened only in 2015. It is chaired by the DENR, with members from component local government units, pertinent national government agencies and civil society sectors from the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, pursuant to the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, RA 7586.
The enhanced General Management Plan, as roadmap for the policies and programs in the protected area, with the Enforcement Plan attached to it, had been duly approved.
Since then, significant milestones, that we all should be proud of, had been achieved.
Steered by the active management bodies — the Executive Committee, and the various Site Management Units, with a dynamic Park Superintendent Prospero ‘AM’ Lendio as Implementer-in-Chief — the management board last April ratified the pioneering policy of requiring vessel monitoring technology for all commercial fishing vessels transiting the protected area.
With Oceana doing pilot testing in the use of the vessel monitoring device, the local chief executives, vessel owners and enforcers are enthusiastic in the positive effect this technology has in the enforcement efforts in the protected area.
The Department of Justice did its share when it created this year the Task Force on Protected Areas with designation of Special Prosecutors for Protected Areas, with Tañon Strait as the first among protected areas.
This is expected to boost the successful and speedy prosecution of cases that affect the ecological integrity and management of the protected area.
Collaboration among various enforcement agencies has never been better. The Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance in Region 7 is a pivotal force in ensuring no-nonsense enforcement of our fisheries and conservation laws.
A highlight of the Summit was the commitment from Undersecretary Gongona for more patrol vessels and full support in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Police chief superintendent, General Jose Mario Espino, Region 7 Director of the Police Regional Office, reiterated his commitment to prioritize illegal fishing, with police stations having jurisdiction over coastal areas, now evaluated in their enforcement of fisheries.
Flag officer in command, Rear Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado, of the Philippine Navy was represented by Commodore Loumer Bernabe, Commander of Naval Forces Central who gave the assurance of readiness of the Philippine Navy to protect our oceans.
The Philippine Coast Guard was also represented.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who recently created the Coastal Resources Management Council, and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. sent messages affirming they’re committed to protect our coastal and marine resources.
Passionate ocean defenders Bindoy Mayor Valentin Yap and Amlan Mayor Gino de la Cruz inspired the participants with their leadership in prioritizing sustainable management and conservation of our marine resources, and in the alliance created and to be created, respectively, among component LGUs in Tañon Strait. Several mayors likewise sent their representatives.
Civil society members were in full force such as the Cebu Archdiocese Commission on Environmental Concerns, and non-government organizations such as Oceana, Rare, Philippine Earth Justice, Tambuyog, ELAC and CCEF. Ocean Heroes winners and nominees were likewise on hand to reinvigorate their alliance.
The event ended on a high note — with the participants pledging to strengthen their collaboration for sustainable use and management of our vast coastal and marine resources, promote the Rule of Law and continue to be the change agents for healthy and vibrant ocean, for the present and future generations.