NOLCOM puts muscle into Batanes fishermen’s shelter

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac — The construction of the fishermen’s shelter, a multi-purpose facility being jointly built by different stakeholders with the military’s Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), continues in the most isolated and northernmost uninhabited island of the country despite all odds.

Lt. Col. Isagani G. Nato, NOLCOM spokesman, said the facility for the fishermen in Mavulis Island of Itbayat in the province of Batanes was a big challenge for NOLCOM.

Spearheading the project, NOLCOM endured “the natural obstacles and other hindrances they meet along the way,” said Nato, adding that it is a “difficult task to meet as the groundworks and transportation are affected by the weather and proximity of the island to its adjacent inhabited island of Itbayat.”

The project started its consolidation and transporting of building materials in the first week of April, this year and is expected to be completed by the end of August.

But due to inclement weather throughout the adventurous ship-toshore unloading of materials, the project is currently 10 percent below critical path as scheduled.

“This means that difficulties in the loading and unloading of materials from its point of origin to the island were experienced by ever-hardworking NOLCOM personnel and civilian volunteers,” said Nato.

The completion of the fishermen’s shelter will increase presence of local fishermen in the region contributing to the protection and management of our marine resources, as well as enhancing the information gathering around this northern maritime area.

The materialization of this endeavor is through the active participation and cooperation of the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Batanes and the community, with the AFP.

Last March 23, 2018, a Presentation of Manifesto of Support by the Local Government Units (LGU) of Batanes and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the AFP and stakeholder sponsor was signed in Basco, Batanes. Signatories in the MOA were the Chief of Staff, AFP, the NOLCOM Commander, Governor of Batanes, and the President of Republic Cement and Builders Materials Incorporated as key sponsor.

Nato said that the NOLCOM will continue to support the National Government, Local Government Agencies (LGAs), and the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the pursuit of its peace and development goals, benefiting the Filipino people, by contributing to the overall efforts of all stakeholders in nation-building.