The Siit Fishermen's Association in Siaton, Negros Oriental, sent

a petition to the Sangguniang Bayan and other government agencies, Thursday opposing the ongoing construction of a private port in the town.

The fisherfolk communities said they were not consulted on the construction of the port owned by Rizaldy Lampajo, and neither was a public hearing held on it.

Association president Ernita Elloren, vice president Maximino Tapang, and officials Richard Abrasaldo, Mery Verances, Melycia Nabwa, Paulina Verbosidad, and Alfredo Siason signed the petition.

The councilors said they will send copies of the petition to the office of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and request for an immediate investigation on the issue.

Petitioners said the private port workers endanger the corals, as big rocks and soil taken from the quarry operation were dumped into the body of water. The port has a height of 60 meters, they said.

Fishermen lamented that since the Siit Bay is their only source of livelihood.

Meanwhile, fishermen said Philippine Ports Authority manager Noeme Calderon has received their petition, and she immediately made an ocular inspection and investigation in the place.

They said Calderon wrote Lampajo and ordered a stop to all activities immediately to avoid penalties.

Calderon said the PPA does not tolerate the construction of private port facilities, which have not complied with Administrative Order No. 06-95, or the Liberalized Regulation of Private Ports Construction, Development and Operation.*RG

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