By Ruben A. Veloria
IBA, ZAMBALES, Philippines – Some 300 leaders and officers of various fishermen association has staged a peaceful rally near the Provincial Capitol here to call on concerned government agencies to fast tract the demolition of illegal beach resorts which they claim deny them of free access to coastal areas for their livelihood.
Paulo Quitaneg, president of the 27,000-member Zambales Provincial Fisher folks Association, said the beach is very important for fishermen as it serves as docking area to unload their daily catch, load supplies and provisions before sailing off shore, and to do necessary repair and maintenance for their boats, especially during and after the typhoon.
”However, these businessmen have managed to illegally construct beach resorts over the accretion areas which long been declared as danger zone by the DENR, erected fences, until there is no more alley we could go through to reach our boats and the sea to make a living,” Quitaneg said.
The rallyists also denounced claims by an allege environmental group based in San Felipe town here that local fishermen could no longer catch a fish in parts of West Philippine Sea.
Deep Sea Fishing Association of La Paz (San Narciso, Zambales) chairwoman Charina Arguelles said/ ”There is no truth that there is nothing we could catch in the waters of Zambales. There is plenty of fish of all kinds to catch and sell.”
Delia Bactad Magtalas, meanwhile, claimed that her fishing boat was destroyed during the recent typhoon and enhanced southwest monsoon after resort owners in their areas refused to allow her boat to dock in front of their resort for the needed repair.
“Nakiusap akong makiparada sa harap ng resort nila para magawa yung bangka namin, pero hindi sila pumayag at pinaalis kami, kasi nakakaharang daw kami sa mga customer nila sa resort,” Magtalas claimed.
Rodencio Edora, the leader of New Masinloc Fishermen Association, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should enforce the law and fast track the demolition of illegally constructed structures and fences along the accretion areas which not only serves as danger to public, but also severe the livelihood of the local fishermen in Zambales.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Zambales have launched the province-wide Zambales People’s Day providing health services and financial assistance to 4,000 residents from Subic to Sta. Cruz here.
Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the activity aims to provide free health care services, especially to patients suffering from acute kidney deficiencies, diabetes, patients needing dialysis treatment, and those needing funeral assistance.
