Piñol tells mayors: Stop illegal fishing

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

CITY OF CAUAYAN—Offering them new boats, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol urged mayors in Cagayan Valley to heighten sea patrols to combat illegal fishing or poaching in local waters, and preserve marine resources like Benham Rise, which is part of the territories of Isabela and Aurora provinces.

Should they prove to be remiss in protecting their marine areas, the mayors would be charged with dereliction of duty, said Piñol, who graced a farmers’ forum here on Tuesday. The forum was part of the activities of Isabela Day on May 11.

“The potential of Benham Rise, which includes a part of your province, must be enhanced,” he said. “We would provide you with patrol boats to run after the illegal fishermen—but not guns and cannons,” Piñol said.

Piñol said he had just completed a 44-hour trip to Benham Rise. He said he had given President Duterte a report on that trip during their Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Benham Rise, also known as Benham Plateau, is 250 kilometers east of the northern coastline of Dinapigue, one of the four coastal towns of Isabela. —VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.