QUEZON CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recognized the City of Balanga in Bataan as the top-performing local government unit (LGU) in the 2020 Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) National Validation for its exemplary practices in the rehabilitation and preservation of the Manila Bay watershed area.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the City of Balanga bagged a cash incentive of P1-million after garnering the highest score in the FishCA National validation, which aims to reinforce the responsibilities and assess the compliance of LGUs to the Philippine Fisheries Code and promote greater LGU accountability to the priority measures of the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan. The said Plan includes strategic boosting of fish biomass and conscientious restoration of a healthy and vibrant natural habitat and ecosystem.

Aside from Balanga, Año also lauded the other LGUs that ranked high amongst the 34 coastal LGUs in Regions III, IV-A, and National Capital Region (NCR) -- covered by the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program (MBCRPP) -- during the regional validation. Among the top LGUs were, Orion in Bataan; Sasmuan in Pampanga; Samal in Bataan; and Navotas City.

“Tunay na kahanga-hanga ang limang LGUs na ito na nagpamalas ng matino, mahusay at maaasahang pangangalaga ng kanilang nasasakupang municipal waters na malaking bagay at tulong sa rehabilitation at preservation ng Manila Bay watershed area na bahagi ng kani-kanilang hurisdiksyon,” Año said.

The DILG Secretary said that it is important to highlight the vital role of coastal LGUs in the Manila Bay watershed area in the management of municipal waters especially the remaining resources, which serve various ecological benefits for communities.

He said that Manila Bay continues to be a major source of food or fishery products to wet markets in various LGUs, a source of livelihood to the fishing communities, and a home for marine species.

“The management of municipal waters is an important component in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as it not only addresses issues on the depletion of fish biomass but is also concerned in mitigating the effects of aquatic pollution,” he said.

The LGUs were assessed based on the following indicators: the existence of a Municipal/City Fisheries Ordinance localizing the features in the amended Philippine Fisheries Code; adherence to coastal zoning policies; regulation or policies contributing to fish stock replenishment; initiatives on documenting fish catch, fishing effort and/or other similar activities to assess fish stock or biomass; and, policy and initiatives to combat or prevent aquatic pollution, among others.

The National Validation Team (NVT) consists of the DILG, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), and non-government organization (NGO) partners Rare Inc., and Oceana Philippines.

Helping low-complying LGUs

Meanwhile, DILG Spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said that five LGUs, three from the NCR and two from MIMAROPA, were likewise scored the least among the 34 LGUs assessed by the validation team.

“Maliban po sa pagkilala sa mga top-performing LGUs, layunin ng FishCA National Validation na makapaglikom ng impormasyon at ebidensya ukol sa low-complying LGUs para matugunan o mabigyan ng nararapat na interventions para maayos nilang magampanan ang pangangalaga ng kanilang municipal waters,” he said.

Malaya, who chose not to identify these low-scoring LGUs, said that following the regional validation, the said local governments scored the least in the indicators.

He said that these LGUs scored 50 percent; 30 percent; 25.71 percent; 25.57 percent; and, 16.67 percent out of a possible 100 percent compliance. “To pass the assessment, the LGUs must at least garner a 70 percent scorecard. At kita naman natin na malaki ang difference ng score ng limang pinakamababa.”

The DILG Secretary issued letters to the said low-performing LGUs with strong reminder for them to prioritize fisheries resource management, and to abide to their commitments during the validation. Año said that if no improvement is seen, show cause order may be issued. (DILG)