Mayor John Dalipe on Thursday convened the Pantalan Inter-Agency Committee (PIAC) in a bid to finalize the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) that shall guide the implementation of City Ordinance No. 553, otherwise known as “The Ports, Wharves, Piers, Fish and/or Beach Landings, Finger/Mini Wharves, Shipyards and Other Similar Structures Regulatory Ordinance of the City of Zamboanga.”

Discussions focused on devising the process of issuing permits to construct and operate the said structures in the city, which shall also serve as one of the means for regulating and monitoring such construction and operation.

The local chief executive, who also sits as PIAC chairperson, enjoined the body not only to simplify the process to encourage operators to secure the necessary permits and/or licenses, but also to ensure that no laws – national or local – shall be violated in the issuance of said permits and/or licenses.

Also present during Thursday’s PIAC meeting were City Administrator and PIAC first vice chairperson Mario Yanga, Councilor and second vice chairperson VP Elago (chairperson, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Peace and Order), Councilor Jihan Edding (chairperson, Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), City Legal Officer Atty. Haydee Panganiban, as well as representatives from the Office of the City Agriculturist, Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator, City Engineer’s Office, Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources, and the Business Permits and Licenses Office.

Relevant national line agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philippine Ports Authority, Marine Industry Authority, Philippine Fishery Development Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Zamboanga City Police Office, Task Force Zamboanga, were likewise present.

The meeting demonstrated the Dalipe administration’s commitment to arresting the proliferation of illegally constructed and operating ports, piers, fish and beach landings, finger/mini wharves, shipyards and other similar structures, as well as prevent the possible usage of the same as entry and/or exit points for the smuggling of contrabands, drugs, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.

Signed in March 2021, the local legislation regulates the establishment, construction, expansion, operation and proliferation of ports, wharves, piers, fish and/or beach landings, finger/mini wharves, shipyards and other similar structures. (Claudine Uniana)