LGU Ozamiz intensifies enforcement of 'no sailing' order

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

Tuesday 10th of July 2012

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 10 (PIA) -- Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog–Echavez of Ozamiz City has ordered to intensify the enforcement of Executive Order No. 002-11 by the concerned barangay chairmen which she issued on Jan. 4, last year.

Entitled “An Order Deputizing Barangay Chairmen With Coastal Areas in Their Respective Barangays in the City of Ozamiz To Ensure that No Fishing Boats or Vessels Will Sail Whenever Tropical Storm Signals Are Issued Within Their Areas of Responsibility,” EO 002-11, covers at least 14 out of the city’s 51 barangays.

The order to reiterate EO 002-11 was issued in the wake of the coming rains and storms, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The mayor underscored the need for the city to protect its constituents from facing disaster situations brought about by tropical storms or cyclones, and proper monitoring of the activities of fishing boats/vessels can be done at the coastal barangay level since they are the front-liners of the LGU to the people, hence the issuance of such order.

Meanwhile, the coastal barangays covered by EO 002-11 are: San Antonio, Doňa Consuelo, Maningcol, Catadman, Carmen Annex, Baybay Triunfo, Baybay Sta Cruz, San Roque, Tinago, Malaubang, Pulot, Dimaluna, Tabid, and Sinuza.

Also covered by EO 002-11 are fishing boats/vessels or marine vessels engaged in fishing activities that are based in the city, which may be driven by paddle or motor, including fishing vessels up to five metric tons.

As provided by the EO, the Barangay Chairmen of the different barangays with coastal areas must maintain an updated list of fisher-folks in their respective locality, including the kind of fishing vessel they operate/owned, and must have a copy of this listing in their respective barangay offices.

The barangay chairmen, upon knowledge of an impending storm, must send the warning signal to the people in their area of responsibility (AOR) and advise and enforce EO 002-11 or the “no sailing” ordinance to the fishing boat and/or vessel operators to avoid any disaster situation to their constituents in the barangay.

The barangay chairmen, in coordination with his council and in consultation with their respective fishers must device their own warnings and signals and work to enforce them during an impending tropical storm in their respective localities.

EO 002-11 also provides that in the event that a fishers or fishing boat/vessel has sailed during an enforced tropical storm warning signal, the barangay chairman of the concerned fishers or fishing boat/vessel must immediately report the incident to the Emergency Operation Center of this city. (PIA-Mis. Occ.)