Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo has allocated P240,000 to purchase three pumpboats with 16 horsepower to be used in the activities to protect marine sanctuaries, prevent illegal fishing, smuggling of contraband, and to help in rescue operations.
The pumpboats will be deployed in the major coastal barangays of Piapi, Looc, Calindagan, and Banilad and will be used by members of the Bantay Dagat and fisherfolks associations to monitor and regulate activities that may adversely affect the marine sanctuaries, degradation of the shoreline and illegal fishing.
City Environment & Natural Resources Officer Rossel Marie Garcia also said that the boats can be used during calamity related rescue operations and clean up of the sea.
The budget will be charged against the 20 percent Development Fund of 2017. The procurement of the units will be through public bidding that can be completed before the end of the year. (PIO Dumaguete)
