Last Monday, thanks to my generous hosts in Dumaguete, I had the opportunity of visiting the town of Oslob in southern Cebu in the hope of seeing the world’s largest fish, namely the whale sharks that gather just offshore.
It should have been a once- in-a-lifetime experience because this small stretch of shoreline is one of only a few places in the world where whale sharks gather in such numbers. The local fishers would spread krill (oyap) on the water to bring the whale sharks to the surface, to the delight of tourists who visit from far and wide to see these monstrous fish close up.
Sadly, however, it was a great disappointment because not only did we not catch sight of these wonderful beasts, but also the terribly-disorganized entrance to the event made it a complete nightmare.
Upon arrival at the beach, one attempts to obtain a ticket from barangay “volunteers” manning the ticket booth. Rather than making everyone form a queue, there is complete mayhem with everyone pushing and shoving whilst attempting to sign on to a piece of paper that is being passed around the crowd.
Then we realized that a large crowd who were not even listed in the barangay list had gone right on the water to queue, and were actually being boarded on the bancas first! As a result, tempers flared and the irate tourists on the official barangay list simply lost interest, and some departed.
Although we were number 90 on the list, we decided to stay. Four hours later, and after being promised “You will be on the next boat”, and paying our P300 per head, we marched to the seashore led by a Bantay Dagat (sea warden), only to find out again, there was a disagreement between the ticket booth and the boatmen on the water, and we were also being charged P50 more as payment for the “feeds” for the whale sharks — which, by 11 in the morning, they were running out of. This, we thought, was the last straw, and we decided to give up.
By that time, the town’s tourism officer had to call in the town’s chief of police to help settle the dispute between the barangay and the boatmen from a resort which the locals said is run by a priest.
Attempting to get a refund proved to be another problem. The “volunteers” at the ticket booth were extremely reluctant to return our money because “It would create a precedent, and others might also demand a refund!” Eventually, we did get our money back.
The whole experience was most unfortunate, to say the least, and I am quite sure we were not the only ones to left disappointed.
The town of Oslob is literally sitting on a gold mine, if only they realized it, but apparently have given very little thought as to the how to handle this wonderful opportunity.
They are probably living on borrowed time because the Coastal Marine Management Division has discouraged the Mayor of Oslob from the practice of feeding the whale sharks because of the possibility of creating dependence.
Therefore, at any time in the future, they may decide to enforce a ban, and the cash will stop rolling in.
I would humbly suggest that the town “make hay while the sun shines”, and that the barangay implement the following whilst there is cash still to be made:
1) Install an orderly ticketing procedure upon tourist arrival. It should really be no problem to have everyone form a queue and obtain tickets in a civilized manner. Also, be up front about the possible waiting time before boarding.
2) Direct the tourists to the refreshments/food available at the local eateries. This will not only further enrich the barangay’s economy, but a waiting customer will be more patient with a full belly.
3) Install some respectable washrooms/toilet facilities. I believe some attempt is being made in this regard, but it should be given major importance, and completed at the first available opportunity.
4) Stop selling tickets when the fishers have run out of bait. Apparently, the local government regulates feeding of the whale sharks in the morning, which means the chance of seeing any of them close to the surface after mid-day, is very limited.
I really do not feel any of my suggestions is too much to ask for, especially as the whole spectacle is provided “free” to the local population.
Maurice Newby
Dumaguete City
