ILOILO — Strong waves that slammed into the coastal town of Concepcion over the weekend left 216 fishing boats damaged, crippling the livelihood and transportation of hundreds of island fishermen and prompting the Iloilo provincial government to step in with possible assistance.
Based on reports from the Concepcion Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), 44 boats were totally wrecked while 172 were partially damaged, affecting at least 213 fishermen, most of them residents of Barangay Igbon, an island barangay heavily dependent on fishing.
The same incident also damaged shoreline protection structures and seawalls in Barangay Maliog-liog and Tambaliza Port in Barangay Tambaliza, highlighting the scale of coastal destruction caused by the powerful waves.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government is coordinating closely with Concepcion’s Mayor Millard Villanueva to assess the full extent of the damage and determine what assistance can be extended through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
“Let us see kon ano ang mabulig naton sa aton nga PDRRMO nga mga program,” Defensor said when asked about possible aid for the affected fishermen.
Residents of Barangay Igbon have appealed for immediate help, stressing that the damaged boats were not only their primary source of income but also their only means of transportation.
“Amo ini ang nagkalaguba kag nagkalalunod tungod sang dalagko nga mga balod. Kasubo tulokon nga makita ang amo sini nga nagakatabo tungod amo man lang ini ang pangabuhian sang mga taga-isla,” said resident Airose Calinao.
Local officials continue to monitor conditions along the Concepcion coastline as authorities work to validate damage reports and roll out emergency assistance for affected fishing communities./PN