Mayor denies threatening LLDA fishpen demolition men

MANILA, Philippines – Mayor Cecilio "Boyet" Ynares of Binangonan, Rizal, denied threatening people tasked with dismantling illegal fishpens and other structures around Laguna de Bay. “All that I want is some courtesy," Ynares said in a telephone interview. "I don't think it's too much to ask of them to at least coordinate with us (officials in Binangonan)." As mayor, Ynares said that he had to protect his constituents, especially poor fishermen, against what he called a "selective policy" of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). According to the Ynares, the agency, which is tasked with managing the lake, has been going after only the small fishermen. "They don't have the guts to dismantle the big ones," he said. Ynares said that the governor himself – his nephew Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III – had his share of misunderstandings with LLDA general manager Edgar Manda. Ynares added that the LLDA have actually tapped illegal entities, because the contractors dismantling the fishpens have no permits to do business in their town. LLDA and Binangonan are feuding over the demolition of illegal fish pens and fish cages along the banks of the Laguna de Bay. On Thursday, LLDA contractors complained that they the mayor had threatened to arrest them should they keep on demolishing the illegal fish pens. Agapito Retiro, a contractor from Cardona town, had said some local government officials also threatened to confiscate his boat if he proceeded with the demolition. Ynares denied any such threats. "I do not know the basis of those reports," Ynares said. "I have not talked to any LLDA employee, nor to any of their contractors." Ynares admitted he opposed recent demolition operations on Talim Island because he felt his constituents had not been given due process. He said he favored the demolition of illegal structures, but said fishpen owners should be given time to collect their fingerlings and recoup their investments. “Small fish pen owners are the ones affected by this move," he said. "I hope they are allowed to dispose of the fish before the dismantling because they have already spent money putting up these structures." The LLDA recently resumed demolition operations, dismantling several hectares of fish pens and cages operating on Talim Island. According to the LLDA, only 10 percent of the lake's 90,000-hectare surface must be used fro fishpens and other fish structures. As of now, these structures are covering more than 20 percent of the total area. "We are just implementing this according to our mandate in spite of protests," Manda said in an earlier report. "The lake is too crowded and some structures are existing illegally." The second wave of demolitions started on August 1, when 20 hectares of illegal fish structures, including those owned by Barangay Kinagatan Chairman Michael Villarina, were demolished. Already, 26.99 hectares, containing 11 fishpens and fish cages, were voluntarily demolished by the owners themselves on seeing the LLDA-led demolition team in an effort to salvage their catch and investments.- GMANews.TV