RUMAGANGRANG BEACH, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras - Residents of this resort community, whose residents have left their homes due to the threat of toxic fumes, are concerned not only with the effects of the oil spill to their fishing livelihood.

They are also worried about their small parcels of land that face the threat of erosion with the removal of stones and rocks that have been contaminated by the sludge that hit the coastlines.

Among the affected landowner is Mansilingan, Bacolod resident Timoteo Gatuteo Jr., who visited his lot here over the weekend.

With the stones and rocks removed by clean-up teams, we, land owners, worry about the future as the removal of these will cause erosion of the embankments, he told the DAILY STAR.

We need an assurance from that the sand and the stones will be replenished so our land will not be eroded, he said, adding that he will return to Guimaras soon to file damage claims after knowing that the government is encouraging residents to seek indemnification for their losses.

More than 30 families living within a 100-meters from the Rumagangrang coastline have been advised by the Department of Health to leave their homes due to the threat posed by the sludge, sacks of which are stacked in two sites - about 25 meters apart.

Residents want to return here to take care of their homes and livestock but we don't know when they will be advised to return, said Provincial Board Member Josefina de la Cruz, a resident of this coastal village, who was among those who left their homes following the DOH advisory, said.

Most of the affected residents here are now living with relatives in safer grounds with about a dozen families staying at the evacuation center at the Rumagangrang Elementary School which is manned by personnel of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. Barangay Councilor Jun Geonanga said the village has about 200 families dependent on fishing.*AVDC

back to top