The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) cited Monday, Dec. 13, Balanga City, for being the top-performing local government unit (LGU) in the 2020 Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) National Validation.

Balanga City was recognized by the DILG 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.

The said validation 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 performing 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 (It is really admirable that these five LGUs demonstrated ‘matino (righteous), mahusay (exemplary) at maaasahang (and dependable) supervision of the municipal waters which is a major factor and boost in the rehabilitation and preservation of the Manila Bay watershed area that is part of their jurisdiction),’’ Año said.

Año noted 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 stressed 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 added.

‘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 DILG said.

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

DILG 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 (Aside from recognizing the top performing LGUs, the FishCa national Validation aims to gather information and evidence pertaining to low-complying LGUs to meet or provide ample intervention for them to dutifully perform the task of taking care of their municipal waters),’’ Malaya said.

The DILG spokesperson chose not to identify the low-scoring LGUs saying “that following the regional validation, the said local governments scored the least in the indicators.’’

Malaya noted “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 (LGUs) (And we can see the huge gap in the scores of the lowest rank),’’ Malaya lamented.

Año has already issued letters to the low-performing LGUs strongly reminding them “to prioritize fisheries resource management and to abide to their commitments during the validation.’’

If no improvements are made by the said LGUs, Año cautioned them that show cause orders may be issued. (Chito A. Chavez)