Monsoon weather wrecks fishers’ livelihood

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Fisherfolks in northern Iloilo are going hungry because of the inclement weather caused by the habagat or southwest monsoon in the past one month.

The monsoon has churned the seas and winds to typhoon-like magnitude, preventing small fishers from catching fish.

PAMALAKAYA-Panay reported that more than 30 fishpens were destroyed by choppy seas and strong winds since June 2021.

Fishing nets and implements such as likos, pukot and taklapan are unusable because of the unsafe seas.

Crab pots or pamanggal are also unusable due to lack of fish used as bait for crabs.

PAMALAKAYA-Panay estimates that around 500 persons are affected by the bad weather.

The affected families are workers and owners of fish pens, fishing vessels, crab catchers or panggal, and even fish vendors.

In Brgy. Nueva Sevilla, Barotac Viejo, almost 100% of fish pens were destroyed, while 11 others were also wrecked at Brgy. Santiago.

Fisherfolks said more fish pens are in danger of being destroyed if the severe weather persists.

On December 24, 2019, typhoon Ursula ravaged the coastal towns of the fifth district of Iloilo.

PAMALAKAYA-Panay claimed that the national government has yet to provide aid to the affected fisherfolks.

Fishers in Barotac Viejo initiated a petition that will be sent to the municipal and provincial governments and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ask for cash or food aid.