NCR MANILA - The Department of the Interior and Local Government -National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) conducted its 2023 Regional Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA), through the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program Management Team (MBCRPP-PMT) last April 12 to 19, 2023. It assessed the Local Government Units (LGUs) implementation of policies related to the management of municipal waters and aquatic resources in the National Capital Region.
DILG-NCR, Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) – NCR, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – NCR, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) – NCR, PNP-Maritime Group and Pangisda Pilipinas along with Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) make up the Regional Validation Team (RVT), which evaluated the documents and Means of Verification (MOVs) submitted by concerned coastal LGUs relative to the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-59 and R.A. No. 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) as amended by R.A. No. 10654.
The deliberation was held on April 28, by the RVT resulting to the final assessment ratings, together with relevant recommendations, and ways forward which addressed the pressing issues faced by local fisherfolks and the local governments in the management of coastal waters of the five LGUs, composed of Cities of Las Piñas, Manila, Navotas, Parañaque, and Pasay.
The need to organize the region’s Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (IFARMCs) is one of the notable findings of the audit after the deliberation. Local preservers may participate in making science-based decisions for the effective and sustainable management of the NCR’s coastal waters by mobilizing local Barangay FARMCs and City FARMCs.