Talisay fisherfolk tell Robredo, Pangilinan that port reclamation hurts their livelihood

CEBU -- About 1,000 fisherfolk on Thursday told presidential aspirant Leni Robredo and vice-presidential bet Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan that their livelihood is affected by the ongoing port reclamation in Talisay City.

This happened when Team Robredo-Pangilinan visited Barangay Tangke as part of the Biyahe Ni Kiko (BNK) listening tour.

Roger, an officer of the Mananagat sa Talisay Pamo Association (Matapa), said there is a widespread fear among the fishing communities of Barangays Tanke and San Jose in Talisay City that their area will be "trapped" by the ongoing construction of the Cebu South Harbor and Container Terminal, as well as its planned reclamation.

"Natatakot kasi ang mangingisda na baka tatambakan din itong aming lugar. At kapag nagsimula nang mag-operate ito (port) baka bawal nang mangisda," Roger said.

In response, Pangilinan said that as senator, he would find a way to solve the problem.

"Susulatan natin ang national government at Department of Agriculture upang matulungan ang ating mga mangingisda," Pangilinan told the fisherfolk.

Robredo also said her office will look into possible provision of livelihood projects for the fisherfolk of Talisay similar to the oyster farm project the Office of the Vice President launched in Zamboanga Sibugay.

In a separate speech at the St. Scholastica Academy in Talisay, Pangilinan likened the fishermen to a father who "feeds the family with his daily toils".

He also expressed his appreciation to Cebuanos for continuously helping him win in the last three elections for the Senate.

Pangilinan is running under the campaign slogan "Goodbye Gutom, Hello Pagkain," a comprehensive program to solve the country's problem of hunger and poverty by strengthening the agricultural sector.

Both Robredo and Pangilinan, who is accompanied by his wife Megastar Sharon Cuneta, are currently barnstorming Cebu for their nationwide campaign sorties to fortify their support base in the province.