CEBU - A group of fishermen whose livelihood is being affected by the construction of a fish port gathered in front of the Talisay City Hall to air their grievances and ask for more financial assistance yesterday morning.
Esperanza Cabando, president of Pundok sa Gagmayng Mananagat sa Sawsawan (PGMS), said that local officials promised to give them P300,000 in financial assistance, but they insisted the amount is not enough for their 336 members.
“Dili jud na masakto namu nang kwartaha kay 336 gud mi kabuok ayaw ko’g ingna tag P800 nalang mi. Unsa may mabuhat ana nga laing panginabuhian namo? Hangyo lang mi nga patas-an ang ilang ihatag namo ngadto sa P2.5 million,” said Cabando said.
PGMS and the local official had signed a memorandum of agreement, in which no money was stated, that the city would give financial assistance after building the Talisay City Fish Port located along the South Road Properties.
The area where the fish port is located is abundant with fish, shells, crabs and other sea animals, especially during low tide, and was the source of livelihood for PGMS.
“P200 ang income namo kada adlaw sa pangisda lang pero sukad nga natukod ang fish port niadtong 2005 dili na ingon ani among kita. Naapektohan gyud mi pagmaayo,” Cabando said.
The fisherfolks burned copies of the MOA between their group and the city.
“Sharo sad og dili makahatag namu ug pabor nga dagko man gani kaayo og bonus ang mga empleyado nya nagsuroy-suroy pa gyud. Mao na nga nagtuo gyud mi nga daghan pa nag kwarta and syudad,” said PGMS vice president Alfreda Maho,
Maho also said that during a negotiation held last Tuesday, city officials promised them to give the P300,000 by January 5, 2009.
However, Talisay City administrator Ritchel Bacaltos said they may not be able to afford the new amount being asked for.
“Dili kaya sa panudlanan sa gobyerno sa Talisay ang P2.5 million nga gipangayo sa mga mangingisda. Naa silay daghang gisumiter nga mga proposal pero under pa na sa availability of funds,” Bacaltos said.
He also said there is nothing they can do if PGMS members are not satisfied with the amount they are giving.
The PGMS is composed of the fishermen from sitios San Rafael, Salvador, Rattan and Sawsawan in barangay Tangke and barangay San Roque. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/BRP (THE FREEMAN)