The military has turned over to local officials the fishermen’s shelter it has built with other stakeholders in the country’s northernmost island of Mavulis in Itbayat, thus, assuring the regular presence of Filipinos in the area. In the past, it had also been a traditional fishing ground of poaching Chinese, Vietnamese and Taiwanese fishermen.
The shelter was turned over on Monday by defense and military officials led by Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, commander of the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), to both provincial and town officials of Batanes. The shelter was complemented by a fish dryer facility.
The construction of the shelter was part of the effort of the military to establish the country’s presence in Mavulis, following the regular presence of fishermen from the country’s neighbors in the rich fishing ground during the past years that were unchecked.
The military has also recognized Mavulis out of its strategic importance to the country’s defense, given China’s presence in some parts of the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea.
In the past, the government has tried to bring in people to Mavulis in its effort to physically occupy the island, but it failed due to the lack of facilities, even for Batanes fishermen who conduct their activities in the island.
The construction of the “multi-purpose” shelter that began on March 23, 2018, was taken in what the Nolcom said was “to optimize our maritime entitlements within our country’s sovereign territory and promote safety of life at sea in the northernmost areas of the country.”
The activity was taken in coordination with officials of Batanes and other stakeholders.
“All these projects will be properly turned over to the Batanes LGU [local government unit] for administration, upkeep and maintenance to ensure their sustainability for continuous utilization for the benefit of the Filipino fisherfolks plying that area,” said Nolcom Spokesman Maj. Ericson Bulosan.
During the turnover ceremony, Salamat thanked local officials and other individuals and groups who have contributed to the putting up of the shelter and the dryer in Mavulis.
“I would like to recognize and extend our heartfelt thanks to the local government and community of Batanes, as well as our partners and other stakeholders for their significant contribution in making this project a reality that would greatly benefit our fishermen, as well as provide maritime protection for our internal waters,” Salamat said.
“I know it was a difficult task to execute, but with the collaborative efforts of everyone, we were able to achieve another significant milestone for our country and the Filipino people,” he added.
Salamat assured that the Nolcom will continuously enhance its interoperability and inter-agency cooperation in its effort to guarding the country’s territory in the north.
“In so doing, our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the northern frontier will always be protected and maintained,” he said.
In the past, Filipino fishermen complained that they are not only being threatened by poachers from the country’s neighbors in Mavulis, but also by the presence of their big fishing vessels that are dwarfing their smaller seacraft.
The absence of the government, or even by soldiers in the island, allowed the almost unimpeded presence of foreign fishermen in the area.