Red Tide kills tourism

THE news from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that the coastal barangays of Alaminos City, Bani, Bolinao, Anda and Sual are finally free is a welcome news. But this recurring news of these towns being red tide-affected and then being free of it is damaging enough to our province’s tourism promotion.

Pangasinan is better known for its claim to serve some of the finest and freshest seafoods in the country. Speak of bangus, crabs, shrimps, and seashells like mussels and oysters and Pangasinan comes to mind almost instantaneously.

However, with the recurring incidence of red tide seasonally in western towns, soon the province will become a pariah in the tourism industry.

If the provincial government and the western towns need further boost in their tourism revenues, they don’t need to look elsewhere. The lasting impression from word of mouth of residents and visitors about fresh and quality seafoods served in Pangasinan will do the trick.

It is imperative, therefore, for our local governments to collaborate with BFAR to find a permanent solution to avert the seasonal occurrence of red tide (and fish kill).  Since the causes are known to all, surely a solution can be found. Will technology help? Or is it simply a case of stricter implementation of rules and guidelines? If so, accountabilities must be established and higher penalties be imposed by the LGUs (and BFAR) on violators.

Red tide (and fish kill) is bad for tourism. It must stop.

 

Police lapses

COME to think of it.

With just one gambling addict gone berserk, 37 employees and guests of Resorts World casino complex in Pasay City died.  Reason?  A security lapse of massive proportions.  The obviously mentally deranged addict triggered the senseless deaths, entering the edifice literally unimpeded even as he was carrying a long firearm. Unbelievable. Using liters of gasoline, he set gambling tables and carpets on fire, triggering the multiple killings by suffocation.  After eluding police and hotel security forces, the suspect was discovered burned to death inside a hotel room.

Now this: Police said the lone gunman’s death was by self-immolation.  But how did they know?  CCTV footages in a Congress probe also showed several laughable police lapses, like firing at a hotel security guard [he survived a pelvic wound] they mistook for an enemy. Enough of police foolishness, please?

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