The composite team was composed of officers/workers from PCG, Philippine Maritime Group, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Quick Response Team and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) Law Enforcers and Fish Examiners.
OPAG Assistant Head Alberto V. Lacsamana said the team was created because they are the ones who will operate the boat primarily to run after those involve in illegal fishing in the province as there were still reported and observed incident case of these.
Also, the boat can be used during such rescue operation as it has a sitting capacity of 25 individuals, Fisheries Division Chief Virginia S. Balancio of OPAG said in an interview.
Meanwhile, Lacsamana explained that the patrol boat will stay with the Coast Guard which shall responsible in the protocol of its use and operation.
The patrol boat was turned over by BFAR to the Provincial Government of La Union last 4 September as an effort to support the campaign of Governor Manuel C. Ortega concerning on fighting and preventing illegal fishing in the province, Mr Lamcsaman said.
Patrol Boat Undergoes Testing for Marine Protection for Illegal Fishing campaign
PHILIPPINES - To promote conservation and protection of the provinces marine resources, a composite team have been trained on the maintenance and operation of La Union patrol boat for two days along the seashore of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station in Poro.
by Lucy Towers
