PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday passed a resolution urging municipal governments in Palawan to identify and provide safe harbor for passenger and fishing vessels facing risky conditions at sea during severe weather disturbances.
Board Member Marivic Roxas, author of the approved measure, said these sheltered harbors would not only serve as hiding areas for fishermen from storms but would also be a place for them when troubled by mechanical breakdowns and loss of essential equipment.
“Nakita natin ang epekto ng bagyo noong nakaraan sa Mangsee sa municipality ng Balabac. Maraming kababayan natin ang naapektuhan ang kabuhayan, ‘yong mga bangka nila ay nasira kung hindi napadpad kung saan-saang lugar (We saw the effect of the tropical storm in Mangsee in the municipality of Balabac. The livelihood of many of our constituents were affected, their boats were destroyed if not swept to other provinces),” she said.
Roxas added the municipalities can be helped by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and other line agencies.
“If they collaborate with the BFAR, they can determine potential areas for the purpose, so that when there are storms, our fishermen will know where to anchor their fishing boats,” she added.
During Tropical Storm Vinta’s onslaught on Mangsee Island, four fishing vessels and around 30 motorized boats were reported missing by the Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
“This is what we want to avoid from happening again. If there are safe harbors, our fishermen would know where to anchor for safety,” she said.
As of press time, the number of deaths due to “Vinta” was placed at 56 from 37. (PNA)
