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Ban-oitan ed Alaminos
Date:
September 16, 2009
The city government of Alaminos will be spearheading the first and the biggest sports fishing competition in the province on September 29.
Dubbed as the 1st Ban-oitan ed Alaminos, the said activity will be the highlight of this year’s celebration of the 5th turn-over ceremony of the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to the City of Alaminos.
Ban-oitan is a Pangasinan dialect which means fishing with the use of rod.
Mayor Hernani A. Braganza, in a bid to massively promote the use of legal traditional fishing methods as a wholesome means for leisure and livelihood, has conceived this sport fishing competition.
He said with Ban-oitan, Alaminians and guests alike could manifest their utmost concern for the sustainable conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the city’s marine environment through the use of legal and traditional fishing methods.
“We hope to fully promote and make this game fishing activity as another major event and tourist attraction in our city,” he added.
“We also envision our Hundred Islands National Park as a Game Fishing Sports Center in the province of Pangasinan.”
The event is open to all interested fishermen aged 18 above and game fishing aficionados in the province including foreign fishermen and guests. It will initially kick-off at 4 am on Tuesday, the 29th and closes at 12 noon on the same day.
The said sports fishing activity is a team game and there must be at least four members of each team which shall also have a registered fishing boat. Non residents (guests) must pay a registration fee of P 300/day.
The schedule of fishing will be every Tuesday and Thursday for the professional category and every Saturday for the non-professional and special category.
Anglers, who are required to wear life vest/jacket, are only allowed to fish at designated fishing zone and within the official fishing hour and schedule prescribed by the committee.
Angling or catching of endangered marine species is strictly prohibited. Evaluation of the fish catches will be done from 5:30 am to 2 pm. After which, the participant could already sell the fish to the market.
Catch switching and syndicating is absolutely prohibited and will be a ground for disqualification.
City Councilor Ma. Angela A. Braganza, SP committee chairman on Education and Tourism, said there are three detachment areas where participants can register namely Bolo detachment, Pangapisan detachment and Lucap detachment.
“Its so easy to join and everybody is welcome to take part in this is exciting event,” she said.
“Ban-oitan definitely encourages our citymates and guests to appreciate sports fishing because aside from being a wholesome and therapeutic activity, it’s a very safe and eco-friendly sport perfect for the whole family,” added the third termer city solon.
Braganza said all participants must comply with the rules and regulation as stated on the Do’s & Don’t Guidelines on Fishing.
She noted that awards will be given away weekly to the winning individuals and teams.
There are three major categories in this year’s competition namely heaviest fish catch for the week/month (total wieght)-team award, biggest fish catch (single fish)-individual award, and heaviest fish catch (single fish)-individual award. The most active detachment will also receive a special award.
The grand prizes to be given away include fishing motorboat, non motorized banca, fishing gears, snorkel &fins and tents.
While, for the minor prizes, winners will bring home life vest, cooler, water proof flash light, weighing scale, jacket, bull cap, towel, t-shirt, water jug and food keeper.
The awarding of prizes will be held during the regular Monday Flag Raising Ceremony in front of the City Hall.
For information contact the City Tourism Office at (075) 551-2145. (CIO)
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