The Food Terminal Market of Occidental Negros (FTMON) at the North Capitol Road in Bacolod City strictly prohibits the sale and possession of illegally caught fish within its premises.
This was stressed by the management of the provincial government-owned FTMON in a memorandum Monday, August 12, following law enforcers seizure of 180 kilograms of dynamited fish at the food terminal on Sunday,
A Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard and Bacolod Police Station 2 team intercepted six boxes of Golden Trevally, locally known as “Badlon” that were caught by means of dynamite fishing, Commander Jansen Benjamin, PCG -Northern Negros Occidental head, said Sunday.
The FTMON memorandum, signed by its focal person Omega Ciocon, said “any tenant, supplier, or trader found in violation of the directive shall face immediate and severe consequences, including but not limited to termination of lease agreements and reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action”.
Such activities are a blatant violation of the law, specifically Section 126 of Republic Act 10654, which amended the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, and are contrary to FTMON’s
values of integrity and sustainability, Ciocon said.
The discovery of any fish or species caught with the use of explosives or noxious or poisonous substances shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the possessor, seller, fish dealer, transporter, importer, or exporter has knowledge that the fish or species was caught or taken in violation of the Fishery Code, Section 126 states.
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall be punished with an administrative fine of P50,000 to P200,000 or five times the value of fish or species, whichever is higher, along with confiscation of the fish.
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment from six months to two years, and fine of eight times the value of the species or from P100,000 to P500,000, whichever is higher and confiscation of the fish or fishery products and suspension or revocation of registration or license, the law states.
“FTMON is fully committed to cooperating with the authorities to ensure that this law is strictly followed,” Ciocon said in her memorandum.
“We will actively work with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to prevent any illegally caught or taken fish from entering or being sold within our premises. This includes taking all necessary measures to identify and catch any culprit involved in such illegal activities, “she added.*