November 5, 2013

RED Samuel R. Peafiel Regional Executive Director DENR Regional Office 1 San Fernando City, La Union

Dear RED Peafiel: Greetings! With our Citys recent efforts to clear our rivers of illegal aquaculture structures, particularly fishpens, our rivers have been relieved of the burdens these structures present. We have been successful in doing such; however, we are currently faced with the predicament of how to deal with several titled lots along the rivers which were previously diked ponds. These ponds had their earthen dikes naturally eroded back into the rivers starting July, 1990 and the recent years due to water action. Some of these ponds have all their dikes eroded while some still have one side remaining. These lots are presently being used for aquaculture using net enclosures like that of fishpens. These eroded lots are also documented as fishponds/residential lots (Transfer Certificate of Title/Tax Declaration and are still paying their Real Property Tax (RPT) to the City). Anent this, we are seeking the opinion of your good office since the DENR has the direct mandate over all national domains which include inland bodies of water. Your legal opinion will properly guide us in implementing our City Fisheries Ordinance so that their interests are not jeopardized. Thank you very much for your valuable response.

Very truly yours,