Janitor returns home to earn from sharks

Seven years ago, Aikie Lagahid, 29, worked as a janitor at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, earning P200 a day.

After he got tired of the low pay and life in the city, Lagahid decided to quit his job and go home to Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob to work as a boatman for tourists wanting to watch the whale sharks that recently made the waters off this fishing village their home.

He didn’t realize that the whale sharks would become a source of fortune for him and more than 1,000 others residents in Oslob.

Seven years working as a boatman for the Tan-awan Oslob Sea Warden and Fishermen Association (TOSWFA), Lagahid said the whale sharks have been giving them joy economically every day.

Lagahid said he and his fellow TOSWFA members earn at least P13,000 a week from tourists, especially during summer when tourist visits surge.

Lagahid said that by working as as boatman, he was able to build a house and buy a motorcycle.

Mark Larrence Rendon, president of TOSWFA, said the whale shark industry not only help them put food on the table, it also opened new opportunities for them.

Rendon said that due to the whale sharks, his younger brother, John Ronnell, was able to earn a degree.

Rendon said his brother used to work part-time as a boatman in Tan-awan and would use all of his earnings to finish his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture course at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) campus in Argao, Cebu.

Rendon said he worked as a clerk for the Cebu Provincial Government in 2012 before deciding to return to Tan-awan to work as a boatman.

He never he regretted his decision.

Now leading TOSWFA’s 180 members, Rendon said they are the ones who ensure that tourists will enjoy their stay in the barangay and that the whale sharks are not harmed.

Barangay officials in Tanawan recognized the whale sharks’ role in improving their economy.

TOSWFA charges a regular interaction fee of P1,000 each if the guest wants to swim with the whale sharks.

Rendon the fee entitles a foreign tourists to a boat ride, the use of a life jacket and a snorkeling set.

They also charge P500 to foreign guests who just want to see the sharks from the boat.

For local tourists, they charge P500 if it includes the snorkeling set, while P300 if it’s only boat viewing.

Locals get a special interaction rate of P50.

Discounts are also given to persons with disabilities and senior citizens, Rendon said.

The total proceeds collected in a day will be divided as follows: 60 percent goes to TOSWFA, 30 percent goes to the Oslob Municipal Government and 10 percent goes to the barangay.