Provide livelihood support, to avoid pawikan poaching

The Bantay Pawikan Inc. asked for government help in providing alternative livelihood to fishermen who might resort to egg poaching as turtles will soon breed along the shores of the town.

BPI chair Manolo Ibias said poaching is a "perennial problem" in the town because the pawikan nesting season peaks on November and coincides during the lean months of fishing due to storms.

"Because of poverty, some people resort to poaching because there is money in poaching. People get tempted," said Ibias in an interview at the Pawikan Conservation Center in Brgy. Nagbalayong.

He said a nest of pawikan may contain an average of 100 eggs which can be sold at Php 20 per three pieces. During the height of the breeding season, a poacher can dig up to six nests that may produce 600 eggs.

With this, Ibias asked for alternative livelihood to address the basic needs of those who poach and sneak during the night behind the patrolling of BPI volunteers.

According to Department of Science and Technology-Bataan director Rosalie Ona, the provincial government of Bataan and the municipality of Morong can tie-up and offer regular jobs to the fishermen or their dependents.

Ona said that people from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority may visit the coastline area and present their vocational programs and short courses.

"The people may be taught with computer, welding, pedicure or massage therapy. There are hotels and private resorts in Bataan which offer massage," she said.

Meanwhile, BPI volunteers also expressed their need to have livelihood support since waves are now threatening to restrict their main livelihood of fishing.

Donato Angeles, 55, father of five, said waves reaching up to 10 feet this June to October will impede his fishing that brings his children to school.

"Sometimes, there is a whole month when we could not fish. I just struggle to send my children to school. It is very hard when your children ask for something and you could not give anything," said Angeles. - PIA — ARA