Group says: NorAsian will suffer same fate as Japex

Cautious of the possible effects of offshore mining in the marine life and livelihood of the residents, a fisher folk group vowed to continue its fight against the NorAsian Limited’s proposed oil and gas exploration in Argao.

“NorAsian and DOE will experience the same destiny as Japex, we promise that,” said Vince Cinches, executive director of the Fishermen Development Center.

He explained that the Department of Energy and its corporate cohorts, including the national government, failed to learn their lesson when the people “defeated them” over the issue on Tañon.

Cinches said DOE refused to acknowledge people’s constitutional power to resist projects that are anti-environment and anti-people.

“All must remember that people have the right and power to choose developmental models that is responsive to their welfare and interests,” he said.

Cinches alleged DOE has become a willing minion of profiteering corporations.

“It’s revolting how DOE has become more rabid in promoting off-shore mining after the STSCM together with various sectors kicked Japex out of Tañon’s protected seascape.”

The fisherfolk sector was nearly relieved, believing that threats in offshore mining is over after Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd (Japex) pulled out its oil drilling project in Tañon Strait about two months ago.

But just recently, DOE announced the plan for another offshore exploration project in Argao, which made the fisher folk sector once again alarmed by its repercussions to the environment and the fishing industry.

Cinches said that in the era of climate change, development of fossil fuel is reckless and irresponsible, adding that the DOE and NorAsian have only deceived the people when they said their project will develop the local and domestic economy.

He believes that the proposed project will instead cause irreparable damage to the fishing grounds, marine biodiversity, food security, dislocations and serious threat to human lives and future.

Cinches anticipates that if the mining pushes through, NorAsian and its collaborators, after extracting profit from Cabuano’s misery, will pack up and leave while the community will stay with only whatever is left after being devastated.

“The tragedy in Tañon Strait is enough to stop off-shore mining,” said Cinches, referring to the impact of oil drilling in Tañon to the livelihood of fishermen and its alleged effects on the marine resources in the protected seascape. —  Jessica Ann Pareja/WAB