The government of Cebu City in the Central Philippines has allotted the funding necessary for the purchase of a new patrol boat that will help deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the waters just off the city.
The new boat will be the first dedicated vessel of the Cebu City government’s Bantay Dagat (“Sea Patrol“) program, which has been operating two boats leased from private owners. The present arrangement has limited the city government’s ability to conduct regular anti-IUU fishing and marine environmental protection patrols as well as to apprehend violators.
The Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission (BDC) was able to conduct only 65 patrols in its areas of responsibility in the waters off Cebu City throughout the second half of 2024.
Ed Karlon Rama, BDC Program Executive Director, said that the procurement of the new boat is scheduled for later this year.
Out of the Cebu City government’s total approved annual budget for 2025, PHP8 million (US$140,000) has been allocated for the boat’s purchase.
The BDC has been lobbying for a dedicated patrol boat since the first quarter of 2023.