Consolacion residents ask BFAR to stop reclamation project

CEBU, Philippines —  An association of fisherfolk and homeowners in Consolacion has sought the intervention of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in putting an end to the 235.80-hectare reclamation project in the town.

“Undersecretary Caballero, please join us as we protect the lives of the fisherfolk of Consolacion!” read part of the letter to BFAR Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero from the Bagacay Fisherfolk Association and Bagacay Homeowners Association.

The said group headed by Annabelle Pomento said they represent different sectoral groups in Consolacion such as village residents, fisherfolk, motorcycle-for-hire drivers, and vendors, among others.

The group fears that the said reclamation project will lead to “irreparable damage to low-income communities and aquatic resources.”

The group also briefed Caballero on the study made by FBS-Environment and Community Research and Development Services, a Cebu-based think tank focusing on environmental issues.

According to the study, at least 500 fisherfolk from the towns of Consolacion and Liloan and the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu will lose their only source of income as the project will kill the fish and other marine resources that they rely on to feed their families, that aside from flooding and other environmental issues.

“Our personal experience also disproves Mayor Joannes Alegado’s claims (that no fisherfolk are going to the proposed reclamation area anymore). On average, we, fisherfolk, catch 7.5 kilograms of fish per hour. The study by FBS also notes that on average, we catch 18 different species of fish that we eventually sell in the market,” said Pomento.

Last November 7, around 200 fisherfolk also held a protest in Consolacion hoping to save their livelihood from the reclamation project Alegado and La Consolacion Seafront Development Corporation (LCSDC) are pushing through.

To further disprove Alegado’s false claims, the fisherfolk showed their catch that morning from their “gango” or the fish pens they had built.

“With Mayor Alegado indifferent to our concerns and pleas for help, we are asking for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to stand with the Filipino people. We are hoping to have a dialogue with you wherein we can further discuss our concerns about the reclamation project,” added Pomento.

The said group along with some other groups earlier also sent out a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma for intervention on the said project.

Earlier, the mayor believed that these fisherfolk are just being used by shipyard owners affected by the project. — KQD (FREEMAN)