(Google Image)
MARIVELES, Bataan — A group of fishermen on Sunday proposed the rehabilitation of the entire coastal area here arguing that pollution from big companies along the coastlines has affected the livelihood of small fisherfolk and the health of villagers.
“We are trying to propose to government na magkaroon ng rehabilitation program ang buong baybaying-dagat ng Mariveles na ang problema basically ay pollution,” said Lloyd Reyes, president of Bataan Anglers Association.
The group boarded a big fishing boat with the streamer “Coastal Municipal Water at Mamamayan Protektahan” and made the rounds of coastal villages in Mariveles.
Reyes said their activity was in observance of Municipal Coastal Water Day with their advocacy of protecting the environment especially in fishing villages.
“Nais naming magkaroon ng awareness kung ano ba nangyayari ngayon sa coastal water and what will be the remedy or solution to protect the local fishermen and the environment itself,” he said.
Reyes claimed that pollutants coming from big companies along the coastlines has been happening for the past many years after Mariveles attained industrial progress with big companies rising along the coastlines allegedly without public consultation.
“Tinututulan namin kung bakit nagkaroon ng malalaking kumpanya sa baybaying- dagat without the knowledge of the public. Kailangan magkaroon ng awareness, information. Tinututulan namin ang idinudulot na polusyon ng malalaking kumpanya sa baybaying- dagat,” he said.
He noted that in Barangay Cabcaben alone, there are 300 fishermen who were affected.
“Before, lalayo ka lamang ng kalahating kilometro, makakakuha na ng malalaking isda. Ngayon kailangan pang dumayo ng Cavite,” Reyes said. “Ang daming nasalantang fishing ground. Literal na tinamaan ang maliliit na mangingisda. Nananawagan kami sa LGU, national, na bigyan kami ng pansin. Tingnan ang komunidad ng maliliit na mangingisda. This time let us start to stand up for fishermen.”
Reyes asked government to help fishermen. He said neglect for fishermen will have a domino effect. “Kapag apektado ang pangingisda, apektado ang consumer, ang mga residente.”
