Dauin Vice Mayor Frances Araula ordered a probe on Mayor Rodrigo Alanano for allegedly spending the Coastal Resource Management fund for other than its intended purpose.

Araula said she checked with the office of the municipal accountant and the treasurer's office and confirmed that the CRM fund was used by the mayor for his "other expenses". The CRM funds were used to purchase new cellphones and were used for partying and other occasions, not related to the project, she said.

The CRM Code of Dauin states that the sharing of the collected funds is divided into three: 40 percent for the Fishermen's Association; 40 percent for the local government; and 20 percent for the barangay.

The rate for scuba diving per head per dive should be P150, diving with camera - P200, snorkeling - P50, swimming - P10 and special permit fee is P500.

Araula said the CRM Code was drafted before her time by the previous Sanguniang Bayan of Dauin.

She said that with the number of tourists coming to Dauin everyday, she is certain that the municipality can get a huge income.

Araula said she is disgusted with the P10 fee for swimming in CRM-protected coastal barangays because even Dauinanons pay it. Councilor Dario Tubog, a fisherman, claimed they did not receive the 40 percent funds for the fishermen's association. He said, with the very strict implementation of the Coastal Resource Management in all coastal barangays in Dauin, many are starving because of the very low fish catch. Araula said she has enough evidence to prove her allegations against the mayor.*MA

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