DA-BFAR: Fishing ban must continue in oil spill-hit Oriental Mindoro areas
Fishermen from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro collect oil remnants from the sunken MT Princess Empress using indigenous booms made of coconut husks, fishnets and jute sacks to protect their coastal resources in this photo taken on April 1, 2023. The oil spill continues to take its toll on the livelihood of local fishermen. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT)
MANILA, Philippines— Due to the risk of contamination, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has recommended a sustained fishing ban in more than half of the fishing clusters in oil spill-hit Oriental Mindoro.
In a Tuesday bulletin, DA-BFAR endorsed fishing restrictions in the following areas: Clusters 1 (Calapan and Naujan), 2 (Pola), and 3 (Bansud, Gloria, and Pinamalayan).
This follows the DA’s regular assessment of oil spill-hit fishing grounds for the presence of oil and harmful chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).
Meanwhile, Clusters 4 (Bongabong, Bulalacao, Mansalay, and Roxas) and 5 (Baco, Puerto Galera, and San Teodoro) have been greenlit for fishing activity.
“Currently, the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro allows the fisherfolk of Calapan and Naujan to fish in the municipal waters of Baco, Puerto Galera, and San Teodoro. On the other hand, the fisherfolk of Pola, Bansud, Gloria, and Pinamalayan are allowed to fish in Bongabong, Bulalacao, Mansalay, and Roxas,” the DA-BFAR explained.
“The DA-BFAR will continue monitoring oil spill-hit areas for a time-series observation, which will be the basis of its recommendations for concerned government agencies and local government offices.”
P117-M aid
DA-BFAR also reported that it had budgeted over P117.864 million in emergency and relief assistance, early recovery efforts, and mid-to-long-term recovery aid for those affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.
P4.4 million has already been rolled out for post-harvest training for fisherfolk, while P1.5 million went to food assistance for over 5,000 affected fisherfolk in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) region according to the DA-BFAR’s Tuesday update.
“Millions-worth of funds was also allocated for the ongoing grant and capacity building efforts of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats with marine engines to affected fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro. In addition, the Bureau has deployed monitoring, control, and surveillance vessels, as well as PPE sets and other materials for clean-up activities,” the DA added.
“Supplementary interventions” are also in progress, said the DA-BFAR. These include additional FRP boats, fish aggregating technology, aquaculture feed mill projects, distribution of bangus fry, tilapia fingerlings, and fish cages to affected communities.
The February 28 oil spill has since cost around P1 billion in livelihood damage, according to previous DA-BFAR reports.
