by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
The weekly Kapihan on February 26, 2011 at Smokehauz Resto & Bar discussed "Pacto de Sangre and New Washington Governance". The guest was Mayor Edgar R. Peralta whose constituents will celebrate a municipal fiesta commemorating the Blood Compact acclaimed first revolutionary organization of the Katipunan outside of Luzon.
Mayor Peralta said that March 1–3 is traditional red letter day that will feature Alumni Night, Coronation of Miss Pacto de Sangre, Barangay Day, Youth Night and Sports. Invited guests to grace the occassion are Cong. Guinigundo, Ted Haresco and Joeben Miraflores and Vice Gov. Billie V. Calizo-Quimpo. Sitio Kumtang in Ochando, formerly part of Batan during Spanish time, now New Washington is the site of blood compact of dozens of recruits who later defied Spanish authorities in Poblacion, Kalibo on March 17, 1897. The death of Gen. Francisco Castillo and blood of XIX Martyrs of Akean fuelled the revolution in this part of the region to overthrow tyranny and oppression. A fitting ceremony and civic parade will be held in their honor on March 2 added the Chief Executive.
Presently, Mayor Peralta, president of Aklan Mayors’ League is into his second term in office. Through hard work and common sense, New Washington has been reclassified from 4th to 3rd class municipality. Notable achievements are upgraded slaughterhouse, Rural Health clinic equipped with diagnostic apparatus with competent and dedicated doctors, nurses and midwives, street lighting and community center.
"In New Washington, we are seeking ways to improve the social and economic condition of our population. This entails construction of farm to market roads in our predominantly rice growing communities investing P70 million from a grant of Japan International Cooperation Agency. Part of this budget will be used to purchase shredding equipment to convert biodegradable wastes into compost fertilizer. Ultimately, farmers will be able to buy cheap and environment-friendly products that will enhance productive capacity of our rice and fish-based farming".
Seawall at Tambak will be rehabilitated by DPWH with a P30 million fund facilitated by Cong. Ted Haresco. Another P1 million was earlier received from Gov. Carlito S. Marquez for same purpose. Considering that damage runs all the way up to the Poblacion, actual budget for completing all projects could run to billions of pesos. Coastal erosion is a threat common to all islands but quite severe in some areas. I hope the national government heeds our request for immediate assistance, said Mayor Peralta.
The Revised Municipal Fishery Code – Ordinance No. 2010-01 envisions to rationalize utilization of fishery resources through regulated use of fishing gears, production methods and marketing. It identifies a municipal fish port or Bagsakan Center wherein all marine fish catch from commercial fishing vessels as well as brackish water fisheries will be unloaded, weighed and sold for public auction. Once ratified by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the same strategy shall be implemented in its satellite barangay of Mataphao where agricultural products mainly rice and vegetables will be addressed.
New Washington’s economic clout lies with its P150,000 monthly revenue from her maritime industry, 1,421 hectares of rice land of which 1,268 hectares are irrigated by NIA, 3,245 hectares of developed fishpond and 10 commercial fishing vessels. Virtually, its food production surplus feeds the hungry mouths of the province especially Kalibo and Boracay, and far away Metro Manila.
It is unfortunate however, that these natural resources are not well managed as it should be. Lagatik river, since time immemorial, has been major source of fishery products from clams to prawns and formidable livelihood for its population. Now the river has turned into a lake. Its polluted water and black slimy particulates seriously harm aqua fisheries and brackish water fish population. This filthy discharge is also responsible for low marine fish catch by offshore fisher folks.
Even if "baklad" and fish cages will be strictly implemented with 50 meters distance between fishing gears, volumes of fish catch will still be very low because of low oxygen level, high water turbidity and temperature. What used to be a natural cleansing agent of fresh seawater coming from Tambak bridge is closed several decades ago. Pertinent question: What happened to the proposed dredging of Lagatik river and Tambak tributary river?
Implementing fishery regulation targeting fisherfolks feeling the impact of low production could only antagonize and polarize people. At best we have three "bagsakan" terminals that are practically inopertional namely: Kalibo, Banga, and Numancia. It should be underscored that successful Bagsakan facilities so far are run by empowered Farmers’ Cooperatives, not by LGU’s.
A weak agricultural development is also seen in hybrid rice production. Hybrids have superior genetic traits and average yield of 35 – 40 percent more over inbred lines. Financing cost is P10.000 per hectare for hybrid, quite a burden for cash strapped municipalities. However, a minimum 500 hectares could be maintained and become show window if this is coordinated with Gov. Carlito S. Marquez. Self sufficiency in rice production should be the primary aim of chief executives to allay a repeat of 2008 rice crisis and its growing scarcity in the world market because of climate change.
New Washington has seen its glory days when it was the center of maritime trade and hotbed of political figures. It has waxed and wane over the years but the legacy of Jaime Cardinal Sin has never diminished because it is enshrined in Filipino hearts who love democracy and freedom. Let the spark of unity and brotherhood that started in the Blood Compact be a constant reminder to all and sundry that good will always triumph over evil. /MP
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