Bancas grounded as waves lap up beaches. Photo by Ernie Esconde
BAGAC, Bataan – The livelihood of fisherfolk and beach resorts facing the West Philippine Sea here have been virtually grounded for a week already this Sunday due to strong waves.
Fishing bancas were anchored on safe ground at the high portion of the beach while most cottages of resorts were vacant in Barangay Pag-asa where rows of beach resorts in Bagac operate.
A red flag flew at a pole in Fajardo’s Beach Resort to indicate that it is prohibited to swim in the turbulent water of the sea.
Velbin Aguiza said it has been more than a week that they have not gotten out to the sea using their fishing bancas because of the dangerous strong waves. Once in a while, he said, he used bait to catch fish in the shallow portion of the sea near the beach for their food.
While waiting for the sea to calm down, fishermen fixed their nets.
Aguiza said most residents along the beach source their livelihood from fishing. “Kapag hindi makapangisda, wala, walang income. Kapag kumita, magtatabi ng konting pera na pambili ng bigas kasi sa ulam nakakadiskarte naman kami dito.” he said.
Carmelita Villanueva, owner of Fajardo’s Beach Resort, said that aside from the big waves, their business has been hard hit by the pandemic brought by the coronavirus disease since it started.
“Kung minsan may dumarating na bisita pero minsan sa buong linggo walang tao. Minsan may paisa-isang grupo o dalawa pero dito lang sa Bataan galing na medical certificate lang ang kailangan,” she said.
She lamented that guests outside Bataan, especially from Metro Manila, are required to present swab test result, so they have almost no visitors.
“Magbi-beach ang mga ito tapos magpapa-swab test pa na patong ang bayad sa gastos kaya kung minsan ay wala nang gaanong tao lalo ang galing sa Manila,” Villanueva said.
She said that this Sunday for example, only two families from Bulacan came.
“Noong kalakasan at wala pang pandemic ay walang patid ang tao at wala na halos paglagyan ang mga tao pero ngayon ay bihira na. Sa isang linggo ay swerte na magkaroon kami ng bisita, wala na kami halos bisita,” Villanueva said.
