Guimaras economy robust: Nava
JORDAN, Guimaras – The province of Guimaras is slowly heading towards economic recovery after the massive effects of the oil spill four years ago.
Guimaras Gov. Felipe Hilan Nava said the province’s economic activity has been very robust and that the local government units are focusing on other livelihood programs aside from fishing.
The province, devastated by an oil spill on Aug. 11, 2006, is commemorating the fourth year of the Guimaras oil spill tragedy.
Nava said the tragedy also brought some blessings to Guimaras because it has been advertised to the rest of the world.
Tourists are now interested in the island after hearing of its programs intended to save the corals and marine creatures.
The oil spill experience is slowly becoming a textbook case wherein researchers and students easily refer to it when studying marine biology, he said.
It has been used in various scientific studies wherein the Guimaras emergency program is being imitated, he added.
He also said that the volume of fish catch have been increasing.
At the height of the oil spill, fisher folk can only bring home some 1.5 to 3 kilos per catch on the average. At present, however, average fish catch has increased to 12 kilos.
Still, he said this is very low compared to the size of fish catch before the oil spill struck.
Nava said they are hoping the long-term effects of the spill on the economy will get a boost from land- based projects and investments.
Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, team leader of the Guimaras Environmental studies, said the province is making progress in its oil spill initiatives and is poised to regain its economic strength with the help of the LGUs and concerned citizens.
ILLEGAL FISHING
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police and Bantay Dagat authorities in Guimaras have stepped up its illegal fishing watch which resulted to the arrest of four fishermen poaching in the Guimaras waters.
Supt. Leo Becerial, director of the Guimaras Police Provincial Office, said
they have confiscated the motorized outrigger of the arrested crew members from Negros occidental.
The suspects are now in police custody, awaiting the filing of charges against them. PNA
