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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – A proposed oil depot in Dumangas, Iloilo could displace fisherfolk and threaten food security, warned the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol has thrown his support to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6 that opposes the construction of an oil depot on a 10-hectare lot in the coastal barangay of Talusan, Dumangas, Iloilo.
Piñol signed a letter endorsing the position paper of BFAR to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.
Among others, BFAR fears a possible oil spill. The proposed project site is near milkfish hatcheries and Dumangas’ fishing grounds.
“We are mandated to conserve and protect the marine wealth as well as the rights of fishermen, especially of local communities, to the preferential use of communal marine and fishing resources both inland and off-shore,” according to Piñol during a recent visit to Iloilo.
BFAR, an attached agency of the DA, has the legal duty to oppose the proposed oil depot or it would fail to fulfil its mandate of achieving food security as primary consideration in the use, advancement and protection of the fishery sector, he added.
Greyhorse Energy Inc. proposed to construct in Dumangas an oil depot that can hold an estimated 27 million liters of petroleum products.
“I will not allow it. This is what the fisherfolk want. Let us rather strengthen the fishing industry and prove to them that even without this oil depot, the town’s economy will still advance. I am urging you to protect and conserve marine resources and mangrove area. It will be more than what the depot will pay in the form of taxes,” said Piñol.
The Iloilo Fish Producers’ Association chaired by Tomas Hautea is also against the oil depot.
The barangay captain of Bantud Pabrika, Dumangas Nolibert Pelaez also expressed disapproval.
“This may give additional income to the municipality but will have adverse effects to the people’s fishing livelihood,” he said during a forum in Barangay Punta Pulao, Dumangas.
Dumangas mayor Ronaldo Golez, on the other hand, said the local government unit is supportive of development projects as long as these do not compromise the farming and fishing livelihood of his people.
“I respect the stand of the Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary. Dumangas has 21 kilometers of coastal areas and we have god milkfish and oyster production industries,” said Golez.
The DA chief committed P20 million to the farmers and fishers of Dumangas through the Production Loan Easy Access program.
“We want our farming and fishing livelihood become sustainable. Each farmer or fisherfolk can loan up to P10,000 with only six percent interest per annum without collateral,” said Piñol.
Within two weeks, according to Piñol, DA’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council will hold an orientation and issue Juan Magsasaka National Accreditation Cards to farmers and fisherfolk of Dumangas.
Piñol also urged Golez to use the abandoned 500-hectare fishpond areas in Dumangas for growing mangroves.
“You organize yourselves and put up mangrove nurseries. We will buy your mangrove seedlings at P10 each,” Piñol told.
Fisherfolk will also receive two units of 30-footer fiber glass patrol boats with twin engine and 30hp capacity, and 50 units of paddle fishing boats.
A Community Fish Landing Center will also be constructed in Dumangas next year, said Piñol.
He also directed BFAR to conduct consultations among fishpond operators for the possible installation of a cold storage facility in the town’s fish port.
The average losses in fishing is 40 percent due to the lack of postharvest facilities, he explained. (With reports from Sheila Mae H. Toreno and DA-6/PN)
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