MANGROVE ENCROACHMENT: 60-hectare fishpond leases in Jaro raises red flags

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor 

Two fishpond lease agreements covering more than 60 hectares in Barangay Bito-on, Jaro, are under review following allegations that the deals were approved without required local government clearance and may encroach on protected mangrove areas.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its Fisheries Regulatory and Licensing Division, approved the fishpond leases on Jan. 20, 2025, in favor of Jeco Agri Aqua and Land Ventures.

One lease covers 25.0142 hectares, while the other spans 35 hectares. Both leases are valid for 25 years, expiring on Dec. 31, 2048.

Jeco Agri Aqua and Land Ventures lists its office at Delgado Street, Delgado–Jalandoni–Bagumbayan, Iloilo City, and is represented by Joseph T. Tan.

Tan also chairs JECO Development Corporation, a real estate firm engaged in land development, housing, building construction, and resort operations.

JECO is part of the broader Sheridan–Jeco Group of Companies, the developer behind the Sheridan brand, which includes Sheridan Boutique Resort in Oton, Iloilo, and Sheridan Villas in Boracay.

In September 2025, Sta. Lucia Land Inc. partnered with JECO Development Corp. and JV Landmark Inc. for a real estate project in Oton, Iloilo.

City Councilor Romel Duron said the fishpond leases came to light during a City Council investigation into three allegedly fictitious homestead patents that reportedly cover about 50 hectares of mangrove forest in Jaro.

Duron said an ocular inspection revealed that the two fishpond leases may overlap with the same areas covered by the homestead patents, pushing the total potentially affected land area to about 110 hectares.

“I suspect — we are not yet sure — but because of how big the area is, which involves 60 hectares, and based on the map they gave us, it appears to be adjacent to or overlapping with the homestead patents,” Duron said on Feb. 4.

He said the council has not confirmed whether the company has begun development in the area, noting that no barangay clearance or business permit has been issued by the city.

Duron emphasized that a Resolution of No Objection (RONO) from the city government is required before any fishpond operations can begin.

He stressed that the RONO should have been secured before BFAR approved the lease agreements.

A RONO is a formal resolution from the city council or mayor affirming no objection to a proposed project — a standard requirement for coastal developments or resource use on public land.

Duron also raised environmental concerns, including potential dike construction and mangrove destruction if fishpond development proceeds.

“If that is a fishpond, how will they develop the area? Are they going to build dikes? I doubt there are no mangroves there,” he said.

He added that some fisherfolk have complained their livelihoods were affected after being barred from the area, which now has “No Trespassing” signs posted.

If the allegations are proven, Duron said he would move for the revocation of the lease agreements.

An ordinance authored by Duron, which seeks to declare the contested mangrove areas as a coastal greenbelt zone, has passed first reading in the City Council.