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Too much ado about P50,000

And it came to pass that the bone of contention of the two warring groups involved in the popular Baclayon Whale Watching Project is only a measly P50,000. Therefore, all this hoopla about New Zealand money went to the wrong pocket is just like that: just another slambang media event.

This surfaced after concerned Baclayanons met last week to strike a compromise deal between the group led by Leo Sumalpong and Jojo Baritua. The two are caught in a spirited squabble over funding support from the New Zealand government. Sumalpong's Pamilacan Island Dolphin and Whale Watching Organization (PIDWO) and Baritua's Pamilacan Island Boat Operators and Spotters Association (PIBOSA) until last week were locked in a legal skirmish over the New Zealand funding. It was not until last week when the two protagonists were brought to the bargaining table that it was established that so far only P50,000 has yet been released. This was confirmed by Sumalpong himself during the meeting held in the island Friday and brokered by Baclayon local officials.

The enmity of the two groups heightened during the recent visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. And it was to the good fortune of the two groups that their animosity did not mar the state visit of Her Excellency. It could have been an embarrassing situation to the host had the two quarreled over the “P50,000 bone”. Now that Baritua and Sumalpong chose to settle their differences thru peaceful means, we can expect that something productive will arise out of the Baclayon whale watching project.