JORDAN, Guimaras - Residents of Guimaras are reeling from loss of jobs and income after the oil spill devastated their livelihood and the local economy, according to a report of a multi-agency team that assessed the impact of the disaster.

The worst hit are residents of coastline villages engaged in fishing, gleaning, beach resort operation, motorized banca operation, salt-making and agriculture, said the 126-page report released last week by the provincial government.

The report said the findings "revealed significant effects that resulted to adverse conditions in the affected areas with repercussions on the quality of life of individuals affected."

More than half or 52 of the 98 barangays of the province were directly affected by the oil spill and have oil sludge near the shore or along the coastal waters. The remaining 46 barangays were considered to be indirectly affected.

The report said 69,162 individuals or 46 percent of the province's population of 151,194 have been directly affected by the oil spill.

The oil spill heavily affected three of the five municipalities of the province: Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo. The municipalities of Jordan and Buenavista were less affected but felt the impact of the loss of market confidence on fishery products caught in Guimaras waters. The report said that 2,439 fisherfolks who were previously earning an average of P239 to P300 per day were displaced due to the effects of the oil spill on their fish catch, seaweeds and milk fish production.

They have resorted to harvesting of rice which has served as temporary alternative economic activity while others are jobless. Some were hired by Petron Corp. in the clean-up operation. Majority of fish traders have stopped their operation and have laid off workers since they do not have enough fish catch and can no longer serve their clients. The average daily sales for fish traders who have continued operating declined from P5,450 to P300.

The drop in fish catch and the fear of eating fish from the waters of Guimaras have resulted in the increase in number of animals slaughtered due to increase in consumption of livestock, the report said.

This can be seen in the increase in the collection of weighing scale fee at livestock auction market at the Jordan food terminal from P1,800 to P2,970 or 65 percent from August 6 to August 27. But collection for the fresh fish section for the same period decreased by 67 percent from P1,550 to P900.

At least 105, mostly small businesses, and 290 employees were affected in the towns of Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo.

Sales of stores and eateries in the affected barangays and the income of those employed in these businesses dropped because of the disaster. Daily sales of variety (sari-sari) stores dropped by 38 percent from P902.78 to P569. They also had cut the number of their workers by 11 percent decrease in their employees. Those employed in these stores reported a drop in their average monthly income by 36 percent.

Operators of eateries also reported a 39 percent drop in average daily sales and reduced their average number of workers by 8.33 percent. The report said some eateries were able to maintain or increase their sales due to the presence of Petron workers engaged in the cleanup.

The assessment team recommended the identification of possible alternative livelihood programs to the affected communities. This will include livestock production like goat, native chicken and pigs, backyard farming, handicraft making, and soap making.

It said trainings and workshops to enhance the residents' knowledge, skills, and boost their morale should be undertaken. Financial assistance as an initial capital should also be extended to affected communities.

The team also recommended a review of the provincial agri-tourism master plan to identify alternative tourism promotion strategies.

"The oil spill publicity that brought Guimaras to international attention should be taken advantage to showcase the beauty of the island itself despite the damage. Alternative marketing strategies should be devised to promote the island as an investment area," said the report.

The assessment team based their findings from field surveys, focus group discussions, interviews conducted from August to September and from data of government agencies. They assessed the impact of the August 11 Solar I oil spill on the environment, economy, health, socio-cultural aspect, physical infrastructures and governance.

Aside from the provincial government offices, the teams were composed of experts from the National Statistical Coordination Board, Department of Science Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and University of the Philippines in the Visayas.

They were also joined by experts from the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.*NPB

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