ARIS PUSHES FOR BAN OF CHLORINE USE IN FISHING
By JUNE S. BLANCO
ENVIRONMENTALISTS and law-abiding fishermen, gusô (seaweeds) farmers, seashell gathers and scuba diving enthusiasts may hold their collective breaths for just a little while longer now.
This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of the 2nd District moved for the approval by the Committee on Rules of House Bill No. 7112 – the proposed Act Classifying the Use of Chlorine as Noxious or Poisonous Substance in All Fishing Activities, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8550, as Amended By Republic Act No. 10654, otherwise known as “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998”.
For those who saw Aumentado leading a pack of bicycle-riding men (and women) passing by very early in the morning, stopping by the neighborhood sari-sari store in their respective towns to quench their thirst with water or the occasional softdrink, take heart!
Cycling is now the solon’s favorite exercise – and the committee meetings are held during office hours.
Aumentado now maintains an office space at the ground floor of the Capitol Complex on Gov. Marapao Street. His staff greet visitors at the ground floor while he mezzanine is his study where he attends virtual committee meetings.
Only last Tuesday, Majority Leader and Committee Chair Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District) approved Aumentado’s motion to approve of HB 7112 in substitution to HB 3360, which he also authored. The former is the consolidated version of the latter, among others, that was the subject of Report No. 392 submitted by the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries.
On learning of the new bill that is already on its way to the plenary, Aumentado’s constituents, especially those in the islands and islets expressed elation. To note, unscrupulous fishermen “discovered” that chlorine provides the same effect as branded insecticides in poisoning fish – making them easier an easier and quicker catch.
But the chemical poisons the corals – the happy place and lovers’ lane of fish so that those who survive swim to deeper and farther waters where no chlorine can stun them. But this renders traditional fishing more difficult especially for the marginal fishermen.
Closer to shore, the gusô farmers cry foul as chlorine kills the seaweeds. And so with the seashell gatherers, who could have augmented the family income by selling these, or saved the money for food as they already have the viand, but are left with the proverbial empty bag or sack instead. The seashells are just that – shells.
But they can heave their collective sighs of relief when the Aumentado bill passes into law.
His earlier HB 3660 had sought only the prohibition of the use of chlorine in all fishing activities, amending for the purpose Section 92 of Republic Act No. 10654 and for other purposes.
On the other hand the Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired by Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez (Palawan, 1st District) deferred HB 4402 seeking the renewal for another 25 years the franchise granted to Tagbilaran Broadcasting System, Inc., formerly the Tagbilaran System, to construct, install, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the province of Bohol and anywhere in the Philippines, for lack of documents.
Tagbilaran Broadcasting operates stations dyTR-AM and FM. Aumentado said the committee has already advised them to submit the lacking requirements for renewal.
But, finding their requirements complete, Aumentado said the committee approved HB 4924 seeking the renewal of franchise of the Negros Broadcasting and Publishing Corporation. He congratulated Dumaguete-based Eli Dejaresco, scion of the Tagbilaran-based Dejaresco family of writer-broadcasters.
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MOBILE LEGENDS? Sorry, guys. Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado does not do ML. And please be quiet, because he is in a meeting of the House Committee on Rules, and the Committee on Franchises after that. And woe to the telecommunications companies if their signal is below par – even poor – for they will face the general wrath of the executives and lawmakers, businessmen, the judiciary, teachers and students, and practically everyone all over the country as the internet is supposed to take over face to face meetings and classes in this time of CoViD-19. Photo: Aris Aumentado’s Facebook Page