PHNO-HL: PNoy: RP TO IMPOSE OWN FISHING BAN / NOY JOKES JOINING PRIESTHOOD

PNoy: RP TO IMPOSE OWN FISHING BAN /
NOY JOKES JOINING PRIESTHOOD

MANILA,
MAY 15, 2012
(BULLETIN) By MADEL R. SABATER - President Aquino said
yesterday that the Philippines will support a temporary fishing ban declared by
China in the South China Sea by imposing its own ban on local fishermen because
it is beneficial for the recovery of the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal
from environmental damage.
China has imposed a two-and-a-half-month fishing ban from May 16 to August 1
and Aquino said he will support it by asking Filipino fishermen to refrain from
plying the area, known in the nearest fishing villages of Zambales as Bajo de
Masinloc.
The China-imposed ban, which covers "Chinese and foreign fishermen, will have
violators' boats, fishing gear, and catch confiscated.
On the part of the Philippines, Aquino said the fishing ban would be
beneficial for the recovery of the Panatag Shaol, noting that the Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have
reported water discoloration in the area.
"There seems to have been damage already inflicted (to the shoal), so we want
to help the ecosystem recover, and a ban would help in the recovery process,"
said the President.
However, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario
clarified that the Philippine government will impose its own fishing ban.
"We do not recognize China's fishing ban in as much as portions of the ban
encompass our exclusive economic zone (EEZ). But the President has decided that
in view of the accelerated depletion of our marine resources, it would be
advisable for us to issue our own fishing ban
for a period of time to replenish our fish stock," said Del Rosario.
Aquino said that compared to Filipino fishermen who only use bancas or small
boats and have less fish to catch in the Panatag Shoal, Chinese fishermen catch
fish 10 to 15 times more, to say the least.
"BFAR is supposed to be using some device that will improve fishing
conditions elsewhere for our fishermen from especially in Masinloc, the Zambales
area, and some in the Pangasinan area also," he said.
He added that the PCG and the BFAR are monitoring Chinese vessels which have
been seen harvesting giant clams in the Panatag Shoal.
"Kung mag-i-impose sila ng ban doon sa mga kababayan nila na sila ang
nagha-harvest ay bakit hindi natin iwe-welcome 'yang ban na 'yan? Makaka-recover
lalo na itong Panatag Shoal (If they will impose a ban covering their citizens
who harvest [marine products], then why wouldn't we welcome it? It will allow
Panatag Shoal to recover),"said Aquino.
He added: "So thank you kung i-impose nila doon sa mga tao nila dahil sa
totoo lang mas konti 'yung ating mangingisdang nagpupunta diyan (So, thank you
for imposing the ban on their nationals because, in truth, there are fewer
Filipinos fishing in that area)."
The President also assured that China and the Philippines continue to talk to
de-escalate tensions in the Panatag Shoal.
"We have actually talked to various legal entities to come up with the best
method by which to resolve the issue," Aquino said.
The Philippines maintains that the Panatag Shoal, otherwise known as the
Scarborough Shoal, is part of Philippine territory as it is within the 200
nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Earlier, Malacañang said the Philippines is determined to fight for its
sovereignty over the shoal, where there is a current standoff between Chinese
and Philippine vessels.
PNoy Jokes About Joining Priesthood By MADEL R.
SABATER
MANILA, Philippines - Father Noynoy in 2016?
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday said he is considering
becoming a priest when he steps down from office in 2016.
President Aquino was the guest of honor during the National Transport
Conference in Marikina City yesterday.
Assuring more take-home pay for public transport drivers and their families
because of cooperatives which now offer big discounts for public utility
vehicles (PUVs), Aquino said in jest that more drivers will become "sweet
lovers."
"Sa matitipid na pera at extra income ng ating mga driver, marami tayong
magiging sweet lover [With more money to save and extra income for our drivers,
more drivers will become sweet lovers]," Aquino said.
"Maliban sa akin. Ako po ay magpapari sa 2016 [Except for me, I will enter
the priesthood in 2016]," he said, eliciting laughter from the audience composed
of members of various transport groups.
"Ang tawag dun, late vocation [That is what you call late vocation]," Aquino
said, apparently in jest.
Rumors had it that the President and rumored girlfriend, Korean television
and radio host Grace Lee had called it quits although sources close to the
President had earlier denied the rumored breakup.
President Aquino and Grace Lee had publicly admitted that they were seeing
each other in February this year. They met last year in an event in Cebu, where
Lee was the event's emcee and President Aquino was the guest of honor.
President Aquino had acknowledged Lee as "gwapa" (beautiful) before he made
his speech.
It seemed like a light day for the President yesterday, as he cracked jokes
in his speech every now and then.



Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi

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NEWS ONLINE
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