Doljo fishermen who stand by Oasis Leisure Island Development, Inc. (OLIDI) and their counterparts in barangays Poblacion and Danao in the town of Panglao downplayed Bayan Muna's warning to elevate the reclamation issue at the level of the House of Representatives.
Oasis supporters issued the statement as a reaction to a news item on Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares' assurance to bring to Congress the sentiments of the members of Nagkahiusang Doljoanon sa Panglao (Nagdupa).
Nagdupa opposes the island construction project proposed by OLIDI, while another group of Doljoanon fishermen have expressed support to the project.
Colmenares had an interaction with members of Nagdupa on November 28 in barangay Doljo, a day after he graced the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Program of lawyers through the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Bohol Chapter at Bohol Tropics in Tagbilaran City.
The other group of fishermen in Doljo, who are not members of Nagdupa, said Colmenares needs to know that there are two groups of fishermen in Doljo and that he should also consider their sentiments as part of the fishing sector.
Pedy Guirit, one of the Doljoanon supporters of Oasis, called on the anti-Oasis resort owners in Panglao to set aside pride and competition, and welcome more investors who can also be their partners in progress.
Guirit, who relies on fishing for livelihood, said it is the coastal barangay residents who suffer the consequence of competition and crab mentality among the investors.
He said fishermen like him dream of better occupations for their children, hoping that new investors can provide alternative livelihood for the rest of them who have not been accommodated in the existing business establishments.
It is on this reason that they welcome Oasis as they saw in the project profile presented to them by OLIDI president Norris Oculam that their children who are pursuing business-related and tourism courses can land a job once the island construction project is implemented.
Guirit said they also support the inland marine sanctuary and mangrove forest components of the project which they said can boost the biodiversity of Panglao seawaters.
Even the existing resorts lining the Panglao beach can opt to invest later in the future Oasis islets, as long as they would comply with the international standard sewage disposal system.
Unlike at present that they are tolerated to continue business even in the absence of water treatment facilities before disposing wastewater to the sea.
Guirit's group also called on the government authorities to give the 'go signal' to the environment study and inventory of the biodiversity in the proposed site of the project as benchmark.
They want to know the biodiversity inventory to also compare the date on the possible volume of species that would be introduced in the Oasis islets that would be constructed, considering that the fishermen are proposing to take part in the development of a man-made forest and marine sanctuary, to attract more tourists. - published by the Bohol Chronicle
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