BAGAC, Bataan — Big waves along the West Philippines Sea have prevented fishermen here from going out to sea for about a week now.
“Isang linggo nang hindi nakakapalaot ang mga mangingisda sa lugar na ito dahil sa laki ng mga alon,” Roberto Alejo of Barangay Pag-asa here said.
He estimated that more than 200 fishermen in the area are affected by the strong waves caused by the Habagat (Southwest monsoon) and further strengthened by Tropical Storm Domeng.
Alejo said fishermen now work extra in construction firms to earn a living.
“Gutom! Malalaki ang alon kaya hindi makapamalakaya,” 55-year old fisherman Dominador Aguisan said.
“Nangangalakal ng basura at nagpapaupa sa paglilinis ng kanal. Kahit maliit na kita, pinapatulan na para hindi magutom ang pamilya,” the fisherman said when asked what he does while he still cannot fish.
A group of workers from a motor company in the City of San Fernando went outing in a beach resort in Bagac, being off from work due to the celebration of Independence Day.
They bathed at the side of the sea, braving the rolling big waves that left roots and branches of trees and other debris along the beach.
“Masarap, enjoy kami sa malakas na alon kaya lang nag-iingat kami,” Mary Ann Ramos said.
Alejo said beach resorts have few visitors.
“Mangilan- ngilan lang ang bisita dahil delikadong maligo. Hindi dapat gumigitna sa dagat, sa gilid lang,” he said.
Intermittent moderate to heavy rains battered Bataan since Friday. But the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that no area in Bataan is under flood waters.
