In Dumangas, Iloilo too! Urbanization Threatens Iconic Bangus Dagupan

The rapid population growth of Dagupan City threatens the iconic Bangus Bonuan which for generations now is acclaimed as the best tasting milkfish in the country.

Binisita ko ang Dagupan City noong nakaraang Linggo and while I was amazed at how the leaders of the city have kept the mangroves growing right in the middle of the urban area, I saw an imminent threat to the prduction of Bonuan Bangus.

The fishponds have given way to reclamation, according to Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chairman Darwin Zabala Aquino.

Many of the former fishpond owners have transferred their Bangus production activities in the middle of the river which flows through the center of the town from the Cordilleras.

Ang problema, according to Darwin, ay kung bumaha, nasisira ang mga fishpens at nalulugi ang mga fishpond operators.

This problem of urbanization and industrialization rapid shrinking agricultural and fisheries production areas is a problem that is not confined to Dagupan City alone.

In Dumangas, local fishpond operators are up in arms and engaged in a legal battle with the local government unit for allowing the construction of an Oil Depot in the fishing grounds of the town were fishermen propagate Oysters and grow Bangus.

The fisheries stakeholders led by the Hautea Family who owns a Bangus hatchery in the bay expressed fear that an accident or oil leak could destroy the Oyster and Bangus industry of Dumangas and the nearby coastal towns of Iloilo Province.

This issue brings us to the question: Hanggang saan ang paglawak ng urbanization at paano natin pagtagpuin ang pangangailangan ng mga tao ng housing areas sa kahalagahan ng pagpaparami ng pagkain para sa bansa.

The Comprehensive National Land Use Act must be passed to define the boundaries or else we will see the extinction of such agricultural jewels like the Bangus Dagupan.

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!

#RoadToFoodSufficiency!