MARIVELES, Bataan — Most fishermen from Bataan have stayed away from the disputed areas in the West Philippines Sea and turned to fishing with the aid of payao or floating artificial reef in Palawan, some 150 – 200 nautical miles from Barangay Sisiman in Mariveles town.
“Dahil sa problema sa WPS, kami ay nagkaroon ng kanya-kanyang payao malayo sa Scarborough Shoal kaya panatag kami sa paghahanap-buhay,” said Dalisay Cruz, president of the Sisiman Fishing Association.
The group has 49 big fishing boats with each crewed by 8 to 15 people.
Cruz said setting up of a payao is expensive and costs about P120,000 each. Those who can afford put up their own payao while the others depend on the payao built by a businessman.
A payao comprises a floating platform made of steel drum with series of coconut fronds suspended underneath the sea that attracts fish caught by nets.
Bataan fishermen sell their fish catch in Cavite, Paranaque, and Navotas.
“Panawagan sa ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, sana maipagkaloob na ang lugar na para sa atin dahil tayo ang lumalabas na nanalo sa arbitration award na ayon sa nakalipas na administrasyon,” Cruz said.
“Sana as soon as possible, ito ay maging atin dahil sa totoo lang ay napakasagana ng isda sa lugar na iyon na sa kasalukuyan ay walang maglakas-loob dahil nga ang situasyon ay talagang ang mga Chinese ay nandoon pa rin na nagbabantay at nagtataboy sa mga mangingisda,” she added.
