AFP building fishermen’s shelter off Batanes

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is building a fisherman’s shelter in the northernmost uninhabited island of Batanes, which will increase the presence of Filipino fisherfolk in the isolated area.

Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, public information office chief of the military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), said the construction of the multi-purpose facility is now ongoing in Mavulis Island of Itbayat town.

The transport of building materials started last April and the project will be completed in August. 

Nato said the building of the shelter is proving to be a difficult task due to bad weather and distance of the island to Itbayat’s main island.

He explained that the Mavulis project has a unique set of works program being monitored on a weekly basis since it started, which allows flexibility of sequence as it engages stakeholders’ efforts in the share of construction materials. 

“But due to inclement weather throughout the adventurous ship-to-shore unloading of materials, the project is currently 10 percent below critical path as scheduled,” Nato said.

“This means that difficulties in the loading and unloading of materials from point of origin to the island were experienced by ever-hardworking Nolcom personnel and civilian volunteers,” he added.

Nato noted that the completion of the fishermen’s shelter would allow more local fishermen to operate in the isolated region and contribute to the protection and management of the country’s marine resources as well as enhance information gathering around the northern maritime area. 

He said the project is being undertaken through the cooperation of the AFP, the local government units of Batanes and the community. 

Meanwhile, former environment secretary Gina Lopez suggested a “heart-to-heart talk” between the Philippines and China about giant clams reportedly being taken by Chinese clam diggers in the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

Lopez of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundations Inc., who was guest speaker of the 9th National Tour Guides Convention and General Assembly at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan, said that it’s unfortunate that the Chinese clam diggers take away the clams.

Lopez said the Chinese fishermen should leave the clams that could benefit tourism.

She said it’s known worldwide that Panatag Shoal belongs to the Philippines.

Lopez said there should be a heart-to-heart talk between the Philippines and China to resolve the issues in Panatag shoal.

“We belong to the same planet. Fighting is not good,” she said.  – With Eva Visperas, Cesar Ramirez