As part of its continuing efforts to promote sustainable fisheries governance within the National Capital Region (NCR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government – NCR successfully concluded its key Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) validation and feedbacking activities with the five coastal Local Government Units (LGUs) of NCR, namely, the Cities of Las Piñas, Pasay, Navotas, Manila, and Parañaque.

On June 19, 2025, the FishCA Regional Validation Team (RVT) convened at the Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) Matino Room to deliberate the assessment scores and findings gathered during the field validations conducted from June 4 to June 11, 2025. This session served as a platform for the RVT to evaluate the performance of LGUs in complying with fishery-related mandates and programs.

Subsequently, a virtual feedbacking session via Zoom Teleconferencing with the above-mentioned LGUs was held on June 24, 2025. This allowed representatives from the five (5) coastal cities to provide their insights and raise clarifications regarding the audit results.

The RVT is composed of representatives from key national government agencies and partner organizations under the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program (MBCRPP), including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – NCR (DENR-NCR), Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – NCR (DA-BFAR-NCR), Philippine National Police – Maritime Group, and civil society group Pangingisda Natin Gawing Tama (PaNaGaT). Their collective expertise ensured that the audit was conducted with objectivity, accuracy, and technical integrity.

In his welcome message, Local Government Operations Officer V and Sustainable, United, Resilient & Governance-driven Environmental (SURGE) Unit Chief Arnie C. Paquiz of the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED), commended the dedication and cooperation of all participating agencies and LGUs. He emphasized the relevance of DILG Memorandum Circulars 2018-059 and 2018-147, which lay down the framework for regulating and monitoring fisheries activities in municipal waters. LGOO V Paquiz reiterated the agency’s strong commitment to upholding sustainable fisheries management practices and protecting the region’s marine and coastal resources.

As the 2025 FishCA wraps up, DILG-NCR reaffirms its support to coastal LGUs in achieving effective local governance in fisheries and coastal resource management. Through strengthened inter-agency collaboration and active local participation, a sustainable, resilient, and thriving marine ecosystem within the NCR and the broader Manila Bay area remains an achievable and shared goal.