PROV’L GOV’T NOT BLINKING

Agno town hit for not taking strong action

LINGAYEN – Don’t fool around with me.

This was how Gov. Victor Agbayani’s body language read when he sent word to the owner of a barge loaded with 4,500 metric tons of coal that was ditched in the shoreline of Agno town that he was dead serious about the ultimatum.

So, four days before the expiration of the ultimatum given by the provincial government, he had this message sent: “Keep your promise”.

In his most fighting statement yet since the barge LCT Eisner was reported spilling coal in the shore of sitio Talisay, Macaboboni, Agno, Agbayani said the provincial government will closely monitor what the owner, Asian Shipping Company, has done and will do.

“The meter is running fast on them,” he intoned.

At the same time, Agbayani expressed his disappointment to the municipality of Agno headed by Mayor Letecia Rosete for not taking stronger action much earlier when the barge landed in the coast of Agno on December 18 last year.

He said the delayed action prompted him to convene the inter-agency meeting presided by Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis upon his instruction in order to assess the willingness of the owner of the barge to assist the affected community in Agno.

In that meeting, the provincial government gave the Asian Shipping Company 10 days starting March 10 to remove its stationary barge that it is continuously spilling coal every time it is battered by high waves from the South China Sea.

Up to 300 cubic meters of coal have already been spilled to the shoreline of Agno since the barge remained stationary at the site, spawning serious concern for environmental degradation. 

The company, through its representative, agreed to remove the barge but sought an extension of the deadline which the provincial government, through Solis, refused to grant.

“They made promises. We will hold them to their promises and we will also be firm with what we’ve mentioned if they cannot help the community in the clean up of the coastal community,” Agbayani said.

He said taking over barge and selling it, including its content is one viable option that the provincial government is prepared to undertake to cover the compensation for the damages to the shoreline and destroying seaweeds and coral reefs.

Agbayani said if the municipality of Agno will not file a case, any citizen of Agno who may be similarly affected can file the complaint.

In fact, a group of concerned citizens of Agno led by Lydia Colobong has indicated its desire to file a case against the company with the provincial government providing the legal assistance in case the municipality of Agno will not take any action.

A report was received by the provincial capitol Thursday that a tug boat was spotted near the area where the barge remains stationary in a new attempt to pull it out from the shore.

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