The 2023 Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) was successfully carried out in Central Luzon with all eighteen coastal local government units completing the initial phase of the assessment from March 22 to April 13.
FishCA is an annually-held audit conducted by the Regional Validation Team (RVT) headed by DILG together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and an accredited civil society organization. The RVT assesses the level of compliance of coastal LGUs to RA 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 in line with the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation and Preservation Program. Using the FishCA tool, the eleven indicators are designed to assess their policies and plans, monitoring and administration of their municipal waters and enforcement of the same policies.
Among the key findings in the region is the continuous development and implementation of technical support and collaboration of LGUs on coastal resource management.
As the final stage of the assessment, the RVT convened for the final table assessment to determine the regional passers of this year's audit that will be given appropriate cash incentives. These incentives shall then be used to sustain their existing best practices on fisheries management as well as the further development of their programs and plans. DILG R3 commends the LGUs in their consistent outstanding performance in the audit and is looking forward to the further implementation of their programs and plans.