Fisherfolks call on gov’t to stop reclamation project in Consolacion, Cebu describing it anti-poor

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Some 75 household/members of Barangay Tayud Fisherfolk Organization called on concerned government agencies to stop the 234.80-hectare reclamation project by La Consolacion Seafront Development Corporation (LCSDC) saying that it would destroy the livelihood of fishermen in the area.

According to Barangay Tayud Fisherfolk Organization president Annabella Pomento that the reclamation project will displaced around 200 fisherfolks in the area, losing their only source of livelihood and the project does not even provide a plan on how they can get new jobs.

“Most of us have lived here for more than 20 years already, and the reclamation project does not propose a plan on how we can be relocated,” Pomento said.

In Barangay Tayud, at least 25 percent of the 25,000 people there rely on shipyards for their livelihood.  However, some shipyards have already closed operations due to the non-renewal of business permits and waning fish catches.  

This resulted to some workers taking contractual jobs such as being a construction worker while others are still job hunting.

Pomento stated that given these multiple issues, it is concerning that the Cebu Reclamation Authority (CRA) has not intervened yet to investigate the project.  Should this reclamation project be approved one day, then the CRA must be blamed for causing thousands of Filipinos who could no longer be able to feed their families.

The association also welcomed Judge Allan Francisco Garciano’s decision to block Consolacion Mayor Joannes Alegado’s attempt to shut down the shipyards after their business permits expired on June 30, 2021, Pomento bared.

“We hope that Judge Garciano’s decision will lead to more government agencies, such as the Ombudsman to investigate the reclamation project. We do not want a project that is possibly tainted with corruption as it would only benefit rich businessmen while harming the poor like us fisherfolk,” Pomento added.

The Regional Development Council (RDC-7)-Central Visayas, in one of its meetings in July also called on all stakeholders and government agencies to carefully study the impact of the proposed reclamation project on the local economy.

The reclamation project aims to create a so-called Seafront City turning the foreshore, offshore, and seas within Consolacion into an international economic hub. 

The RDC-7 Infrastructure Development and Power Sub-Committees chaired by Gordon Alan Joseph expressed concerns on the project and hoped that It is backed by relevant sound business plans and environmental impact studies so as not to displace various sectors within the seafront area.

Aside from the fisherfolks in Tayud, at least 10 shipyard operators in the area opposed the reclamation project saying that it would dislocate more than 300 vessels that are getting maintenance and repairs there. (Photos: Google Images)