Losses from fish-kill exceed P190-M, says gov’t

MANILA, Philippines – Losses from the massive fish kill gripping the provinces of Batangas and Pangasinan have exceeded P190 million, a national disaster agency reported.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that as of Monday afternoon, Batangas has reported P150 million in losses while Pangasinan reported P40.71 million.

At least 374 fish cages in Batangas owned by 23 operators were hit by the fish kill, which mainly affected tilapia and bangus.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said the latest report came from Barangay Lumanglipa in Mataas na Kahoy town, which reported 100 to 150 metric tons of dead fish from 24 cages worth P7.5 million.

The other affected areas were Barangay (village) Sampaloc in Talisay with 895 metric tons of dead fish worth P78.7 million; Barangay Leviste in Laurel with 681 metric tons worth P43.6 million; Barangay Poblacion in San Nicolas with 50 metric tons worth P4.5 million; and Barangay Subic Ilaya in Agoncillo with 268 metric tons worth P15.2 million;

The towns of Sta. Teresita, Cuenca and Alitagtag also reported that some 1.8 metric tons of dead fish worth P358,500 have turned up in their open waters.

In Pangasinan, six villages in the towns of Anda and Bolinao with 108 fish cages owned by 39 operators were affected.

Anda reported losses of P25.11 million while Bolinao town reported losses of P15.6 million.

Anda declared a state of calamity on Monday so the local government can use its calamity funds.

The towns of Talisay, Laurel, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca and Alitagtag in Batangas were earlier placed under a state of calamity.