AGRI Partlist Representative Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee personally checked the situation of fisherfolk, fish vendors and residents in Limay, Bataan as they continue to struggle from the effects of the oil spill brought by the sunken MT Terranova.
Accompanied by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina, Lee went to the ground zero of the oil spill to have a clearer understanding of the situation. This is in line with his proposed House Resolution No. 1825 which seeks to assess the impact of the Bataan oil spill, implement urgent interventions and assistance, and identify possible accountability among those involved.
“Maraming lumabas na reports na may mga smuggling activities, may paihi, na wala raw permiso na maglayag. Yan ang iimbestigahan natin, dapat malaman natin kung mayroon at sino ang mga kasabwat. Ang laki nitong mga barkong ito, paano naman ito maitatago?” Lee asked.
According to the Bicolano lawmaker, the House inquiry should be fast-tracked to address other concerns that surfaced from the recent oil spills such as the registration and certification of the vessels and insurance coverage of the companies.
“Tututukan natin kung paano ang certification ng mga vessel, iyong seaworthiness at insurance ng ganitong mga barko, lalo na iyong mga nagdadala ng ganitong klaseng produkto na kapag naaksidente ay nakakasama sa kalikasan,” Lee stated.
“Gusto na rin natin isabay sa imbestigasyon yung mga pampasaherong barko, kasi napapabalita rin yung, huwag naman sana, mga lumulubog dahil sobra yung karga, luma na iyong barko, ayaw nang gamitin sa ibang bansa pero dito sa atin, ginagamit pa,” the solon noted.
Lee further said: “Dapat panagutin ang mga dapat managot! Hindi pwede na parang walang magawa ang gobyerno sa mga may-ari ng barko. Kung merong batas na dapat tingnan, rebisahin, i-amend o kung may bagong batas na dapat ipasa tungkol dito, gagawin natin.”
The solon from Bicol also met with Limay, Bataan Mayor Nelson David and turned over sacks of rice to be distributed to the residents afflicted by the oil spill.
A food security champion, Lee also conducted a dialogue with a fisherfolk’s group in Brgy. Lamao and visited fish vendors at the Limay Public Market.
The said fisherfolk group gave Lee a letter seeking his help as they struggle with the detrimental effects of the oil spill.
”Hindi po namin alam kung gaano pa katagal ang epekto ng oil spill na ito sa aming kabuhayan. Marami na po sa amin ang nagbebenta ng kanilang huling isda nang palugi. Saan naman po kami kukuha ng panggastos? Kapiranggot na nga ang aming kita nagkaganito pa,” the letter read.
Responding to the group, the lawmaker said: “Dapat automatic ang pagdating ng tulong at ayuda. Hindi pwedeng naghihintay at nagmamakaawa pa ang ating mga mangingisda. Dapat lahat ng iyan ay sagot ng gobyerno.”
Lee commended the PCG for their prompt response on the oil spill, saying “we have to commend iyong Coast Guard ngayon sa mabilis nilang pagresponde. Ang ine-expect nga po natin, parang sa Mindoro noon. Ngayon, kahit nandito kami sa ground zero, halos wala kang maamoy.”
Despite the PCG’s quick response, Lee stressed that it is crucial for the government to have a mechanism and equipment in addressing these accidents that affect the livelihood of thousands of our countrymen.
“Hindi po tayo pwedeng puro improvised lang. Dapat may malinaw na mekanismo, sapat ang ating mga kagamitan, at hindi tayo nakaasa lang sa ibang mga bansa,” he said.
“Filipinos deserve better crisis management to protect their livelihood so we should demand better from the government. Kalikasan, kabuhayan at mismong buhay ng ating mga kababayan ang nakataya dito”, he added.
During his visit to Bataan, Lee also attended, as guest speaker, the recognition rites of the Bataan Peninsula State University in Abucay, where he stressed to the youth the importance of compassion and helping those in need.
“Huwag tayong maging manhid. Wala tayong patutunguhan kung wala tayong pakialam sa kapwa – sa ating mga mangingisda na wala nang kinikita dahil sa oil spill dahil may panggastos naman araw-araw; kung balewala sa atin ang pagkalugi ng mga tindera ng isda sa palengke dulot ng oil spill dahil may iba namang pwedeng bilhan,” Lee pointed out.
“Sa pagdadamayan, Winner Tayo Lahat. Sapat na kita, gawin na natin. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin. Maayos na kalusugan para sa lahat, gawin na natin!” he added.
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