Rebuild livelihood of Guimaras

After the senate committee hearing with Petron Philippines Corporation, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today called for the oil company's assurance to pay up Guimaras fishermen to rebuild their livelihoods which were damaged due to the oil spill.

"Clearly we should assess the sea worthiness of the vessel and go after those responsible for this oil spill. But above all, I think, we must assure the people that they will be able to claim the money to be used in rebuilding their fish sanctuaries, and in regrowing mangroves, coral reefs and see grass reefs . To me, rebuilding the lives of the people affected is the heart of the issue," said Angara.

Angara also asked Petron to establish a clear, effective and efficient system in dispersing and disbursing the $300-million fund which will be used to pay up the fishermen.

"Will these payments be on a strict reimbursement basis or will they be on a proof of actual damage and consequential damage basis? If this will be on a reimbursement basis, then I think, very few will benefit from these payments because very few people will be able to show money they actually expended," Angara explained.

Angara cited the report of the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources which enumerated that at least six fish sanctuaries are already at risk.

Angara enumerated some of these fisheries as the 600-hectare Tuyu Reef in Nueva Valencia, the 350-hectare Pamakulan Island Fish Sanctuary in Sibunag, and the UP Taclong Marine Station in Guimaras which is home to 29 types of hard corals and 144 species of fish.

"Fishing is the principal livelihood of the people living along the coasts of Visayan Sea. So, the magnitude of this disaster is such that we cannot afford to wait a minute longer for aid or technical assistance to come," Angara said.

"The extent of this maritime disaster is not only on the heavy damage to the fishery industry but also the risk of damaging the mangroves that rim Guimaras and the coastal towns of Negros Occidental," he continued.