Cry for help! Dumangas Fisherfolk Appeal: Stop Oil Depot Construction

Fishpond operators, Oyster farmers and the fisherfolk of Dumangas, Iloilo are seeking the intervention of the national government in stopping the construction of an Oil Depot in the bay which for ages had produced Oysters and milkfish.
Led by fishpond operator Tomas Hautea, the fisherfolk, fishpond operators and Oyster farmers fear that any industrial accident or leakage from the Oil Depot would destroy the rich fishing grounds which had been the source of livelihood for people in the area.
The Hautea family also operates a huge Bangus Hatchery which had been supplying fish ponds and fish cages all over the country which draws water from the bay.
“We are not against development but the location of the Oil Depot should be in a place where it would not pose a threat to a multi-million peso industry and the source of livelihood of people in Dumangas,” Hautea said.
When I was Agriculture Secretary, I directed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to lead the move agains the establishment of the Oil Depot in the area.
Recently, however, big business prevailed and succeeded in getting the backing of the local officials of Dumangas prompting Hautea and his group to seek my help again.
As Food Security Adviser to the NSA Sec. Clarita Carlos, I assured Tomas Hautea and his group that their appeal would be forwarded to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who is concurrently the Agriculture Secretary.
I am sure this government will listen.
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