DAGUPAN CITY – City Agriculture Officer Emma J. Molina called on all motorboat owners operating either as fishing or passenger vessels to register at her office as required by City Ordinance No.1768, series of 2003, which regulates fishing activities in the city.
This is also in compliance with Executive Order 305 of Malacañang devolving to Municipal and City Governments the Registration of Fishing Vessels weighing Three (3) gross tons and below.
In a meeting with owners of fishing and passenger vessels on September 11, Molina disclosed that based on their old data at least 500 motorboats are operating in the city either as fishing or passenger vessels.
On the other hand, the Maritime Police of the PNP, in their letters to the city, is also encouraging all motorboat owners to register their vessels with the city to avoid the inconvenience of being reprimanded or apprehended for operating illegally.
In the city’s ordinance, each motorboat is considered registered with the city upon payment by their owners of P1,350.00 for one year, equivalent to P110.00 per month.
In meeting with the boat owners, Mayor Belen T. Fernandez revealed that soon the city will be purchasing life-saving vests to be worn by all passengers before they are allowed to cross rivers.
“We have already allocated fund for the purchase of at least 1,000 life vests, which we will station at the consignacion area and to all the destination points in every island barangays. We will require all passengers to wear these vests for their safety especially the children,” said Fernandez.
At the end of the meeting, the owners and operators of fishing and passenger boats agreed to comply with the city ordinance and pay the P1,350 registration fee. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/Sept. 11, 2017)