Barangay seeks Capitol aid to repair ‘deteriorating’ port

CEBU, Philippines — For generations, fishing has been the main source of livelihood for residents of Barangay Japitan in Barili, Cebu, but a port that has deteriorated for more than four decades continues to make it difficult and dangerous for small fishermen to land their catch.

Barangay Japitan Captain Ace Lino Ricaplaza is now seeking assistance from the provincial government to finally rehabilitate the aging port, which, he said, has been the subject of several proposed rehabilitation projects under different administrations but has never been fully repaired.

Ricaplaza said that the port had already been proposed for rehabilitation during the term of former governor Pablo John “Pabling” Garcia, when a P10 million budget was reportedly discussed for the project. However, the proposed rehabilitation was never realized.

Several years later, another P10 million rehabilitation plan was discussed but the project likewise did not push through.

When another barangay captain from his family took office, Ricaplaza said the proposed amount for the rehabilitation had increased to P20 million, yet the port remained unrepaired.

The port, he said, serves not only as a landing area for fishermen but also as protection during storm surges, providing a place where small fishermen can seek shelter during rough weather.

Ricaplaza said the condition of the structure also affected the barangay’s mangroves after a portion of the port was damaged and cut off.

The port was already in poor condition before Typhoon Odette struck Cebu in December 2021, but the storm further worsened the damage. Around 15 meters of the port was reportedly destroyed during the typhoon.

“Before ang Bagyong Odette, medyo guba na jud siya pero wala pa jud na-rehab. Pag-Bagyong Odette, nisamot na jud,” said Ricaplaza.

He added that the area had also been affected by previous strong typhoons, including Nitang and Ruping, further highlighting the importance of the port as a protective structure for the coastal community.

For the fishermen, however, the most immediate concern is the safety of getting in and out of their boats. Ricaplaza said the damaged structure has made it difficult for fishermen to safely reach the shore.

“Ang among pantalan, mahadlok ka moduol. Kay ultimong pagnaog sa mananagat, labaw pa nga magkamang sila,” he said.

Japitan has a population of 5,585 residents across 1,163 households, with fishing remaining a major source of livelihood in the community.

Ricaplaza said he had previously raised the concern before the Sangguniang Bayan of Barili, where a P2.25 million budget was reportedly allocated in 2024 for the port.

He said he was told that the amount was intended to be given to him for the project and that it could have been used to begin the rehabilitation, even if only for its first phase.

“Okay unta to og mahatagan pagtagad bisan Phase 1 lang usa,” Ricaplaza said, adding that he later lost track of what happened to the allocation.

With the previous efforts failing to materialize, Ricaplaza said he is now turning to the provincial government under Governor Pamela Baricuatro, whom he thanked for entertaining their appeal.

His request gained further attention after former board member now Baricuatro's consultant on agriculture, Engr. Grecilda Sanchez, visited the barangay for an ocular inspection following a resolution submitted by Ricaplaza regarding the port’s condition.

“Gani nag-ocular inspection na sila sa among barangay. Ila gyud nakita kung unsa na ang sitwasyon didto,” he said.

Ricaplaza said he also raised the concern with Baricuatro when they met, and the governor assured him that there is now hope for the long-delayed project.

“Kapitan, ayaw kabalaka kay adunay na kahayag ang imong pantalan,” Ricaplaza recalled Baricuatro telling him.

Ricaplaza said the barangay is now waiting for the next steps from the Provincial Engineer’s Office, hopeful that the inspection will finally lead to the rehabilitation of the port.

“Mao jud na ang among pangandoy, sa kinatibuk-ang barangay, nga maayo ang among pantalan,” he said.

“Amo nang i-claim sa kahitas-an nga ma-realize jud among pantalan sa Japitan,” Ricaplaza added. — (FREEMAN)