Aid for Cordova: Pay-to-plant mangroves

Families in Cordova town were asked to replant mangroves and get paid for it.

The Bureau of Food and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) started distributing mangrove propagules yesterday as an alternative livelihood for fisherfolk affected by the oil spill from the sunken MV St. Thomas Aquinas.

BFAR Assistant Regional Director Allan Poquita said the government will pay P2 each for potting a propagule in a temporary nursery, P3 per propagule planted and P1 for maintenance if it survives after one year.

For the mangrove planting, BFAR is giving 105,000 propagules for at least 10 barangays affected by the oil spill.

Unable to go out to sea to fish, Cordova families have been deprived of their livelihood for the past five days.

The BFAR will also give three-day’s supply of gasoline for those with motorboats. hit.

For marginal fishermen who use paddle boats, BFAR said other alternatives have to be explored.

Wives of the fishermen will also receive one kilo of squid balls, one kilo of fishballs and two kilos of cooking oil as starting capital for a small vending business.

About 5,000 fishermen in the town have lost their livelihood due to the oil spill.

The oil slick affected the town’s 15-kilometer shoreline, destroying over 300 hectares of mangroves.

The oil slick has also affected cultured and wild crabs, prawns, sea weeds and bakasi (eel) which the town is known for.

Coastal barangays affected by the oil spill are Alegria, Poblacion, Catarman, Buagsong, Day-as, Bangbang, San Miguel, Pilipog, Gabi and Gilutongan. /Correspondents Michelle Joy L. Padayhag and Norman V. Mendoza