Members of the Baguio City Council are considering the drafting of an ordinance to regulate fishing activities at Burnham Lake.
The proposal emerged during the city councilβs June 9, 2025 discussion on a separate measure seeking to institutionalize the Burnham Fishing Tournament.
Councilors suggested that, aside from institutionalizing the tournament, a distinct ordinance should be enacted to govern fishing activities at Burnham Lake, establish regulatory processes, and address ecological and legal concerns.
Councilor Mylen Yaranon pointed out that the penal provision of the ordinance institutionalizing the tournament lacked clarity, adding that penalties related to unregulated fishing should perhaps be addressed in a separate ordinance focused on Burnham Lakeβs ecological management.
Yaranon also emphasized the need for proper fish population control and suggested that the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) should schedule regular harvests since fish, especially red tilapia, have been multiplying rapidly in the lake.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda agreed that penal provisions should not be embedded within the first ordinance but should instead be part of a separate ordinance to be drafted by CEPMO, especially regarding the issuance of fishing permits.
CEPMO representative Sandra Almag admitted that fees amounting to P150 per hour are currently being collected based on βuse of area,β but Tabanda insisted that collections must have a legal basis and must be formally backed by an ordinance.
Councilor Peter Fianza stated that the new ordinance should lay out guidelines on the conduct of fishing, designation of fishing areas, permit requirements, and collection of fees. This ordinance would provide both structure and accountability, Fianza said.
As for the ordinance institutionalizing the Burnham Fishing Tournament, councilors also raised concerns on implementation and enforcement.
A significant point of discussion revolved around the P500 registration fee currently collected from participants which covers trophies, cash prizes, free t-shirts for participants, food and gas for volunteer coordinators. Councilor Vladimir Cayabas proposed waiving of the registration fee for Baguio residents if public funds would already be used while Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President John Rhey Mananeng suggested a fixed appropriation with a corresponding cap on participants to maintain a balance.
Cayabas and Mananeng emphasized that if the tournament is to be institutionalized, it should be adequately and sustainably funded by the City to relieve the burden on private organizers and to make the event more accessible.
Meanwhile, Councilor Peter Fianza suggested creating a more inclusive and more comfortable and inclusive fishing space, especially for retirees and elderly individuals who view fishing not just as a recreational activity but as a relaxing pastime that could enhance their quality of life.
Fianza also addressed safety concerns, noting that people participating in tournaments often roam freely along the lake including areas that are not secure or designed for public access. He called for improvements such as providing proper seating and safety infrastructure.
Almag said that rehabilitation plans had already been drawn up and submitted for funding under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), including improvement of the lakeβs perimeter and dock areas. However, she clarified that the initially identified fishing area is limited to the view deck due to the presence of boats, but CEPMO is open to considering an expansion of the fishing zone to adjacent areas.
The approval of the ordinance was deferred and returned to its proponent, Councilor Lilia Farinas, for refinement based on the comments of the other city council members.
The first fishing tournament was held a few years ago during the Saleng Festival. It is currently organized by Rafael Serrano in collaboration with CEPMO. The 10th edition is scheduled for June 28, 2025. Serrano said that, so far, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from the most recent tournament held during the Panagbenga Festival in February. -Jordan G. Habbiling