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Monday, February 14, 2005
Arroyo to fishermen: 'Use fiberglass'
By Edwin G. Espejo
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last week told local fishermen to look for other alternatives for their wood requirements in the production and maintenance of their fishing boats.
"Use fiberglass," she said in a press conference held at the municipal hall of Malungon, which she visited Thursday.
The president implied that the restriction on the cutting of trees, especially in watershed areas, would continue following several disasters that hit the provinces of Aurora and Quezon where more than 1,000 people were killed due to flashfloods and avalanche.
Environment secretary Michael Defensor has been clamping on illegal logging activities, which were blamed for the disasters in several provinces in Luzon and Mindanao last year.
Defensor however said harvesting of planted species will be allowed in accordance with the department's policies and regulation.
Local fishermen here are seeking an exemption to the ban of cutting of trees as they are dependent on timber products.
A local lumber dealer, who requested anonymity said the local fishing industry needs a conservative estimate of two million board feet of prime timber products, mostly lauan and yakal species, for boat hulls and outriggers every year.
The same sources said fiberglass products are at least three times more expensive than wood.
There are more than 4,000 handline tuna fishermen, which still use wooden boats.
The lifespan of a wooden boat is approximately ten years with regular maintenance.
Also last week, Arroyo ordered the department of public works and highways to use steel, instead of timber in the construction of bridges in far-flung barangays.
"Use steel. We should avoid the use of wood as construction material," told DPWH officials.
Several bridge projects in Sarangani have been suspended due to the lack of timber to support these spans.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos. Click here.
(This section is updated every Monday)
(February 14, 2005 issue)
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