Mayor backs fishers' call for Capitol intervention over Carles fish policy
Key players in the fishing industry of Northern Iloilo are now calling for immediate intervention of the Iloilo Provincial Government.
With Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda at the helm of the group's plea for government help, center of the industry's dilemma is a major fishery policy of the Carles Municipal Government.
Mosqueda is chairman of the Northern Iloilo Alliance for Coastal Development (NIACD) yet like the fishers and traders, the mayor said he was not aware of a major make-over of Carles' fishery law.
To help cushion the effect, a rollback in port fees was ordered in the Estancia Fishing Port.
About four weeks now sea-arrests were simultaneously made by teams identified with Carles 'Bantay Dagat' (Sea Guardian). With most of the arrested also fishers of Carles, Mayor Mosqueda decided to act on the situation amidst similar concerns of Estancia locals.
Further still, Mosqueda said as Alliance chair, he needs to stand up for the people of Northern Iloilo "if only to arrive at a collective solution for the collective good of the district."
As per renewed campaign of Carles, an order is now up for all fishers to sell day's catch back to the town. In fact, fishers reached by The News Today (TNT) similarly said that sea patrol teams are strategically located in order to block entry in Estancia, center of fish trading in Northern Iloilo.
"I have nothing against the development plans of Carles. That is well and good for them whatever the town officials feel is best for their people. However, along that line, especially in my capacity as chairman of the Northern Iloilo Alliance for Coastal Development, we should also make sure that fair play is maintained and free enterprise is affirmed," the Mayor said. "We want justice for our oppressed fishers be it in Estancia or any other northern Iloilo town. We should not have any counter-productive government moves for our people especially those who needed more of our help."
With increasing public clamor at its highest over the weekend, Mayor Mosqueda decided to have a meeting with Governor Niel Tupas and Carles Mayor Arnold Betita. The meeting is reportedly set today at the Capitol.
Meantime Mosqueda addressed issues raised over Estancia's supposed fear of the Carles policy due to significant effects on its economy.
"Yes, the Fishing Port is one of our best sources for revenue but no, that is not the only good thing about Estancia. Even before I became mayor, my plans are in place, I came ready with alternatives and Estancia has so much potentials for continued growth and development," Mayor Mosqueda replied with a smile. "Our economy is stable and I am proud to report that with the help of the people it has significantly grown in the first eight months of my administration. In fact, comparative results showed at least P1.5 million in my first month of office, maintained in my second month and have since been steady thereafter."
The port fees rollback was among the "quick and easy" Executive decisions he can do, Mayor Mosqueda pointed out, "because we do have a very stable economic condition and increased tax collection."
Seen as added help to cushion the effect of Carles fish policy for fishers and traders, a P1 rollback in port fees has been ordered here covering unloading, market trading and transshipment fees.