MAY 16, 2013

NR # 3105B

Solon urges government to address fish kills in lakes and inland waters
The enactment of a law addressing the unabated fish kills in various inland waters of the country should be given top priority in the next Congress, according to Rep. Angelo Palmones (Party-list, Agham). Palmones said he would re-file a measure that reduces if not totally eliminates, the occurrence of fish kills and eventual destruction of several lakes and other inland waters. Palmones said there is an urgent need to assess the situation of fish cages and fish pens in inland water and lakes all over the country. Palmones said fish kill has become a periodic occurrence in fish pens and fish cages in inland waters and lakes in the country, noticeably in Bolinao, Pangasinan and in seven towns in Batangas. These occurrences have cost owners of fish cages and fish pens hundreds of millions pesos and has led to the loss of livelihood of many lakeshore residents engaged in fishing as well as of fish vendors, Palmones said. Palmones said the causes of fish kill include the exceedingly high stocking density beyond the carrying capacity of the lakes and over-feeding. He cited the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL), which is covered by a management plan that included activities to make the lake and the landscape sustainable in the light of the present aquaculture activities in the lake. The management plan was not strictly implemented as evidenced by the occurrence of the fish kill, Palmones said. Palmones said the measure would mandate the local government units (LGUs), which have jurisdiction over the lakes and inland waters, to collectively obtain a programmatic Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau. This way, the LGU executives will be collectively responsible for any untoward environmental incidents that happen in their jurisdiction, Palmones said. The bill will also require project operators to deposit funds under the Environmental Guarantee Fund to be used to rehabilitate the affected area or in case of fish kill, to dispose of the dead fish. The operators of the projects are also required to deposit under the Environmental Monitoring Fund (EMF) funds for the purpose of monitoring the project. This way it is guaranteed that the projects will be monitored to determine if the management plan and the mitigating activities are implemented and implemented properly Palmones said. (30) sb