The DILG-NCR, through the Manila Bay Clean Up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program-Program Management Team (MBCRPP-PMT), conducted a series of activities in connection with the implementation of the Regional Fisheries Compliance Audit Validation covering the five (5) coastal Local Government Units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region, namely, the Cities of Las Piñas, Manila, Navotas, Parañaque, and Pasay.

An orientation for the five (5) coastal LGUs on the recalibrated tool and the validation mechanism was held on April 5, 2022. This was followed by successive coordination meetings for the preparation of necessary Means of Verification (MOVs) of each coastal LGU, conducted on April 6, 7, 11, and 12, 2022. The validation proper was held from April 26-28, 2022 to May 2, 4-5, 2022, and post-validation activities followed on May 12 to 13, 2022.

The Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) aims to guide the LGUs on their vital monitoring and regulating functions over fishery activities within their territorial jurisdiction, particularly in their municipal waters, pursuant to their mandate under R.A. No. 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) as amended by R.A. No. 10654.

The Regional Validation Team (RVT), composed of the DILG-NCR, through its MBCRPP-PMT, Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource – NCR (DA-BFAR-NCR), and Pangisda Pilipinas, utilized the FishCA Monitoring Tool, for the review of the documents and other MOVs submitted by the LGUs, inspected post-harvest facilities, and requested other documentation deemed necessary by the RVT based on the initial results of its table assessment. 

The Regional Validation Team (RVT) assessed the NCR coastal LGU’s capacity to implement policies and interventions for the management of their municipal waters and aquatic resources based on their performance in CY 2021.

One of the notable findings of the audit is the need to further capacitate all coastal LGUs in developing their Municipal Fisheries Code, electing local Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs), and delineating water boundaries.

The RVT agreed to explore partnerships with other relevant National Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations in the coming years to improve the quality of assessment, and to strengthen the assistance provided by the national and local governments to the local fisher folk. #