Laguna Lake’s illegal fish pens face demolition
LLDA contractors clash with town execs
By Beverly T. Natividad
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:25:00 08/08/2008
MANILA, Philippines – The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the municipal government of Binangonan, Rizal are feuding over the demolition of illegal fish pens and fish cages along the banks of the Laguna Lake.
LLDA contractors complained Thursday that they were threatened by Binangonan Mayor Cecilio Ynares regarding their plan to demolish the illegal fish pens.
The town official reportedly said any contractor that would dismantle the structures would be arrested.
Agapito Retiro, a contractor of Barangay Navotas, Cardona, Rizal province, said some local government officials threatened to confiscate his boat if he proceeded with the demolition.
Ynares denied any such threats. “I do not know the basis of those reports. I have not talked to any LLDA employee nor to any of their contractors,” said Ynares, uncle of Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III.
LLDA General Manager Edgardo Manda told the Inquirer Thursday that, despite the reported “intimidation,” they would go ahead with the demolition today on Talim Island in Binangonan.
Manda said it was unfortunate that they were facing opposition from local officials when the demolition was meant to clear navigational lanes to ease travel on the lake.
“We are just implementing the move according to our mandate. The lake is too crowded and some structures are illegal,” said Manda.
Only 10 percent of the 90,000-ha lake can be used for fish pens and similar structures. But fish pens now cover about 20 percent of the lake.
The LLDA will send only three boats from a contracted eight last week. Other contractors reportedly backed out because of the alleged threats.
Ynares admitted he opposed recent demolition operations on Talim Island because he felt his constituents were not given due process.
He said he favored the demolition of illegal structures, but added that fish pen owners should be given time to collect their fingerlings and recoup their investments for humanitarian reasons.
“Small fish pen owners are the ones affected by this move. I hope they are allowed to dispose of the fish before the dismantling because they have already spent money putting up these structures,” Ynares added.
The LLDA recently resumed demolition operations, dismantling hundreds of fish pens and cages operating illegally on Talim Island.
Manda said Talim was one of the areas with a big concentration of illegal fish pens and cages on Laguna Lake, adding that local officials owned many of the structures.
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