Thursday, October 12, 2006
Oil affected shores in Guimaras unsafe to clean
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao and Elsa S. Subong
ONLY one oil-spill affected area in Guimaras has been considered safe for cleaning, said an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
DENR Environmental Management Bureau Officer Bienvinido Lipayon refuted pronouncements that shores in the province Guimaras are now free from hydrogen sulfide, a chemical that could exacerbate asthma and causes respiratory illnesses.
Only Baybay Allegria in Sibunag is safe for cleaning, said the Task Force Solar1 Oil Spill (TF SOS), of which DENR is a member.
The TF SOS recommended a halt in the cleanup operations after high amounts of hydrogen sulfide were detected in the areas affected by the spill.
A total of 3,301 people, including those from the Regional Coast Guard, Mepu, Bgst, Sunshine Maritime Development Corporation, Petron, FMRSI (hired), Guimarasnons hired by Petron, are cleaning up the affected areas in the island.
In Nueva Valencia, the affected areas are Dolores, Tando, San Roque, Lucmayan, Lapaz, Cabalagnan, Panobolon (island barangay), Canhawan, Igdarapdap, San Antonio and Guiwanon (including Unisan Island); in Sibunag-Alegria, Bubog, Inampologan (island barangay), San Isidro (including Pamancolan Island, Seraray Island, Nalibas Island, Nauway Island, Us-usan Island and Nagarao Island), Sebaste (including Ado Island and Natunga Island), Nabas, Maabay and Dasal and Sabang; in San Lorenzo-Sebario, Igcawayan (including Nadolao Island), Cabano, M. Chavez, Suclaran and San Enrique; In Buenavista - Dagsaan, Magsaysay, Sawang and Zaldivar and; in Jordan--Buluangan, Lawi, Sinapsapan, B. Maravilla, B. Melleza, Espinosa and Morobuan.
The task force noted a total of 41,299 persons affected by the oil spill in Guimaras and Iloilo.
Some 44 families in evacuation centers in Sitio Proper and Sitio Iraya, Tando, Nueva Valencia are surviving daily on relief goods and the cash for work provided to them by government.
They hoped though that they could return home and start life anew.
Councilwoman Evelyn Gantecela of Tando said the families have learned to live one day at a time and make do with the assistance being given to them. Gantecela said many of the evacuees did not want to be dependent on the relief goods but they want to work again for the future of their children.
Cash for work
The Cash for Work program facilitated by Petron and DSWD consist of garbage disposal, gardening with plots already planted as of this time, and cleanliness and beautification around the city center.
The evacuees work five days a week and are paid 300 pesos each per day and 200 pesos each for a half-a-day's work. Most of their earnings go to basic needs like personal toiletries, laundry soap, and others. The bulk of their expenses are on transportation and allowances of their children in school.
Fanny Bungar, rural health midwife and whose family was among those adversely affected by oil spill, said the income could meet some basic needs, as long as the family members do not get sick.
"Tani, makatuon man ang mga tawo magtipon sang parte sang ila ginakita," (I hope the people will learn to save a part of their earnings), Fanny said in the local dialect.
Maribel Cayanan, a 52-year old widow whose family did not leave the shore despite the oil spill, was able to save a part of her son's income from the Cash for Work activities.
Evacuees sometimes come together and chat or talk to the media and some visitors. Gantecela said barangay officials and residents have been assisting the evacuees by making them feel welcome.
Gantecela added they are also facilitating the conduct of spiritual activities to uplift the spirits of the evacuees who are often depressed because of the uncertainties of their future mixed with their longing to go back and resume life at the ocean front.
Though life may not be really comfortable in tents and makeshift shelters, the evacuees still manage and pin their hopes on the rehabilitation program of government that will bring them a better life. (Elsa S. Subong/LABB)
(October 11, 2006 issue)
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