The dubious scheme of the Marcos government to allow the establishment of an oil depot for US military operations is fraught with dubious implications.
It does not stand to reason why the depot be placed anywhere in Davao Gulf when the more strategic place should be the former US naval storage facility the Subic Naval base?
The Davao Gulf is a among the few remaining marine sanctuaries in the country and putting up an oil depot is a veritable threat that could totally wreck the Davao Region’s rich fishing ground. Once the diverse marine ecosystem is impaired due to water pollution from oil spills you can kiss the corral reefs and seagrasses goodbye. And you can be certain that the spawning ground of variety of fishes found in the gulf of Davao will subsequently disappear.
The effects will be horrendous most especially to thousands of fishermen who rely heavily on the abundant marine resources of Davao Gulf.
There was a deafening protest from environment activists when the plan of constructing a bridge that would span Davao City and Samal Island. I noticed however that the non-government organizations seemed to be so quiet when the news about the plan of an oil depot in Davao Gulf was announced . Is it because it involves the US from where they derive aid from donor foundations?
In the case of the bridge construction the damage on the corral reefs affected could actually be rehabilitated after the construction. In the case of an oil depot moreover the activity and the potential spillage of chemicals and oil will never cease. Expect also the unending navigation of oil tankers and naval ships in the depot which will impact on the reefs and marine vegetation.
What brings doubt into the plan of having an oil depot in Davao Gulf is that it comes after the Davao City Government and the City Council announced their intention to establish a protected mariculture area in the gulf to boost local fish production and elevate the status of traditional fisherfolk into entrepreneurs.
The presence of a military oil depot in the area is something that is strictly forbidden and must be guarded against. Let President BonBong Marcos be aware of that.
