THE ORMOC City Agriculture Office (CAO), headed by Maria Elena Mendoza, through the City Fisheries Management and Licensing Unit (CFMLU) of the Animal Production and Fisheries Division (APFD), will be conducting the CY 2023 Licensing of Fishing Gears and Boats Registration on January 11 to February 24, 2023.
Accordingly, the objective of the registration is to acquire full authority to ensure the rational and sustainable utilization, development, management, and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources in this city.
The said mandatory registration is done annually and covers all fisherfolk, natural or juridical, including their vessels, gears, and other paraphernalia that are operating in the city waters as mandated under Ordinance No. 012, also known as an ordinance governing the mandatory registration and licensing of fisherfolk, fishing gears, and fishing vessels in the city of Ormoc.
Per CAO, this year’s schedule for the licensing of fishing gear and boats and registration of fishermen in this city will be on January 11–13 in Barangays San Juan and Margen; January 17-18 in Brgy. Lao; January 19, 20, 24, and 25 in Brgy. Naungan; January 26-27, and 31 in Brgy. Linao; February 1 in Brgy. Punta; February 2 in Brgys. Alegria and Batuan; February 3 in District 2; February 7 in Brgy. Can-adieng; February 8 in Brgy. Camp Downes; February 9-10 in Brgy. Bantigue; February 14-16 in Brgy. Ipil; February 17 in Brgy. San Antonio; February 21 in Brgy. Danhug; and February 22-24 in Brgy. Macabug.
Accordingly, failure to renew a vessel’s registration on the prescribed deadline shall subject the owner or operator of the said vessel to a penalty of 25% of the fishing vessel licensing fee.
Meanwhile, the CAO may also cancel or delete the registration of any fishing vessel after due notice of lawful causes to the owner or operator has been served and appropriate due process has been complied with, without prejudice to the filing of a separate criminal complaint with the proper court if found appropriate. Finally, the registration of the fishing vessel may be cancelled or deleted due to any of the following circumstances: loss or decay of the fishing vessel; involvement of the vessel in a marine or maritime incident that rendered the fishing vessel unserviceable; utilization of the vessel as a coastwise commercial vessel; failure to renew the vessel’s registration for one year; continued failure to display the vessel’s official number and name in violation of Sections 14 and 15 of said city ordinance; change of homeport; and such other lawful causes. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail January 2-8, 2023 issue)
