Fishermen and pump boat operators in Barangay Talaban, Himamaylan City yesterday complained of being forced by the city government to sell their nylon shell catch to buyers known only to city officials.

Pumpboat owner Arlene Labostro said her four sacks of nylon shell were confiscated Monday by the city government after she refused to sell them at P20 per kilo to a buyer pre-approved by the city government.

She said a certain Leo Limsiaco who is authorized by the city government to collect fees from vendors, asked her if she has a business permit to sell nylon shell and when she failed to present the documents, the shells were confiscated.

Labostro said the harassment started when the fishermen in Talaban opted to sell the shell to buyers who will pay them higher than the P20 offered by those pre-approved by the city government.

She said that other buyers are willing to buy the nylon shell at P40 to P50 per kilo.

Mayor Carminia Bascon, however explained that the city government is drafting a guideline to regulate nylon shell-catching and selling in all coastal areas of Himamaylan.

She said this is necessary to protect the sea resource of the city and to ensure that the fishermen operate their trade legally, with appropriate licenses and permits.

Bascon also denied favoring particular persons or any group of buyers of nylon shell, saying thatlack of business permit led to the confiscation of nylon shell from some fishermen and pump boat operators Monday.

She said that the fishermen should understand that the amount they pay for the business permit will benefit the people of Himamaylan and that rules applied to other traders will also be applied to them.*NAB

back to top