14 September 2005
FEATURE: City moves to reacquire lake area from province
THE Task Force on Comprehensive Survey, Recovery and Management of Public Lands (TFCSRMPL) and Task Force on Housing and Squatter Relocation (TFHSR) of the Dagupan City government met recently with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) in Lingayen to explore the possibility of reacquiring the Inarangan lake that straddles barangays Malued and Lasip Chico.
City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim wants to restore the area into an eco-park and explore its vast tourism potential and environmental significance.
The estimated 12-hectare facility which is under the management of the provincial government of Pangasinan through the OPAg, has been converted into a fish farm.
Based on the report of the two city task forces however, the over-all physical facilities of the farm now require immediate restoration and further improvement of its operations to truly function as a demo farm.
Problems on informal settlement, encroachment and titling have been observed in the area.
The guard houses are no longer functioning even as power and electric installation need urgent upgrading. Sserious improvement on rearing nursery and hatchery ponds are also required.
More dismayingly, the farm or office is flood prone and consequently, all records pertaining to the farm operations have been ruined by the flood.
In a letter to Governor Victor Agbayani, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez said the city is concerned over the proliferation of informal settlers in the area which is within the territorial jurisdiction of Dagupan City.
“We want to explore the possibility of a mutual undertaking and management of the facility or possible turnover of the administration of the area under the provisions of Republic Act 7160 on devolution,” according to Fernandez.
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina said documents collated from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) show the Inarangan Lake was leased from the city government in 1963 for 25 years.
“If that is the case, the lease should have ended in 1988 and it is probably the proper time for the city to reacquire the lake,” TFHSR vice chairman, Engr. Rodolfo Fernandez said.
TFCSRMPL Chair Atty. Teofilo Gallang said if the present area is not productive, it will be best if it is turned over to the city to augment the limited space within which it is trying to cramp its numerous programs.
City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim wants to restore the area into an eco-park and explore its vast tourism potential and environmental significance.
The estimated 12-hectare facility which is under the management of the provincial government of Pangasinan through the OPAg, has been converted into a fish farm.
Based on the report of the two city task forces however, the over-all physical facilities of the farm now require immediate restoration and further improvement of its operations to truly function as a demo farm.
Problems on informal settlement, encroachment and titling have been observed in the area.
The guard houses are no longer functioning even as power and electric installation need urgent upgrading. Sserious improvement on rearing nursery and hatchery ponds are also required.
More dismayingly, the farm or office is flood prone and consequently, all records pertaining to the farm operations have been ruined by the flood.
In a letter to Governor Victor Agbayani, Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez said the city is concerned over the proliferation of informal settlers in the area which is within the territorial jurisdiction of Dagupan City.
“We want to explore the possibility of a mutual undertaking and management of the facility or possible turnover of the administration of the area under the provisions of Republic Act 7160 on devolution,” according to Fernandez.
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina said documents collated from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) show the Inarangan Lake was leased from the city government in 1963 for 25 years.
“If that is the case, the lease should have ended in 1988 and it is probably the proper time for the city to reacquire the lake,” TFHSR vice chairman, Engr. Rodolfo Fernandez said.
TFCSRMPL Chair Atty. Teofilo Gallang said if the present area is not productive, it will be best if it is turned over to the city to augment the limited space within which it is trying to cramp its numerous programs.
