Monday, October 13, 2008 Boat race aims to raise environmental concern
IN their sailboats, fishermen hit the coastal waters off Talisay City yesterday for the first Baroto Regatta sa Talisay.
Joining the race of small wooden bancas with sails were 25 teams, said Talisay City Councilor Bernard Joseph Odilao, head of the committee on environment.
The race hopes to address the pressing problem of fuel prices, Odilao said.
“This is the perfect answer to our economic crisis and the rising cost of fuel prices,” he said.
He said fishermen should “go back to the basics,” using only the baroto (wooden boat) and its layag (sail), instead of the motorized pump boats for fishing.
The race highlighted the importance of preserving the natural environment, he said.
“This race also (promoted) awareness on the importance of protecting the environment and most especially the marine life,” said Odilao.
The event would also help fishermen realize the importance of keeping the waters clean, he said.
Participants raced for five nautical miles from the starting point at the Tourist Seaside Hotel. They proceeded east towards the Pungaton Reef, south towards the Lagundi Reef and then back to their Hotel.
Complaints
The race ended without major glitches. But Odilao said complaints after the event were inevitable.
“This is our first time to have this race, so it is only natural to have complaints,” he said.
These were about the second and third place winners after officials discovered their sailboats were longer than the allowed length.
“The boats should be at least 15 to 18 feet in length and the sail 10 to 12 feet,” said Odilao.
Two sailboats
The two sailboats were close to 20 feet in length, technical officials said.
“Fortunately, we cleared things up and agreed upon things internally. Both sailboats are still the winners,” said retired Customs district collector David S. Odilao Jr., who spearheaded the organization of the race.
Placing second were Ernie Cantiveros and Ponciano Silab and coming in third were Gilberto Basar and Marti Espra.
First place winners brothers Dindo and Ricardo Sumalinog won P20,000. They have been fishermen for 30 years.
They plan to buy a new boat with their cash prize. (EPB)
