Fishers’ group calls for subsidy for oil spill-affected fishing families

MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is appealing for immediate subsidy and livelihood support for fishing families following the oil spill incident caused by the tanker MT Princess Empress that sunk off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro last week.

According to the partial report by Pamalakaya-Panay, the oil spill has already reached the province of Antique and affected around 1,200 fisherfolk and coastal residents in at least three coastal villages in the Semirara Island in the town of Caluya.

“Isang linggo nang apektado ang kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng oil spill, kabilang ang isla ng Semirara. Kailangan nila ng agaran at pang-araw-araw na panustos para sa kanilang pamilya. Nananawagan kami sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na sabayang aksyunan ang paglilinis ng kumalat na langis at paghahatid ng ayuda sa mga apektadong mangingisda at pamilya sa tabing dagat,” said Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement on Tuesday.

(It has been a week since the livelihood of fishermen in the areas has been affected by the oil spill, including the island of Semirara. They need immediate and daily supplies for their families. We call on the relevant government agencies to act together to clean up the spilled oil and deliver aid to the affected fishermen and families on the seashore.)

“Malubha ang epekto ng oil spill sa mga pook-pangisdaan. Tiyak na magdudulot ito ng pagbagsak ng huli ng mga mangingisda dahil sa posibleng pinsala nito sa mga bahura (coral reefs) at bakawan (mangroves) na nagsisilbing tirahan ng mga isda. Dapat ring paghandaan ng lokal at pambansang pamahalaan ang posibleng fish kill dulot ng pagkalason ng mga isda at kontaminasyon ng tubig,” he added.

(The effect of the oil spill on the fishing grounds is severe. It will undoubtedly cause a decrease in the fishermen’s catch because of its possible damage to the coral reefs and mangroves that serve as habitats for fish. Local and national governments should also prepare for likely fish kills caused by fish poisoning and water contamination.)

The fishers’ group said it is working with its Panay chapter to assess the impact and damage of the oil spill on marine resources and coastal communities.

The fishers’ group said that once the report is consolidated, Pamalakaya will coordinate with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to seek concrete rehabilitation for the affected livelihoods and damaged resources.

Pamalakaya said that the owner of the MT Princess Empress should be demanded compensatory damages and be responsible for the cleanup costs of the huge oil spill.

Meralyn Melitante, Inquirer.net trainee

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