Oil spill reaches Naga, San Fernando

THE regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has sent technical experts to assess the situation in Naga City in southern Cebu where traces of oil spill was reported to have reached the shoreline.

According to BFAR marine biologist, Johann Tejada the oil spill in Naga City can be considered negligible due to the small quantity seen in the area.

They also checked reported traces of oil spill in the beach front of one of the resorts in San Fernando town, but said that the oil spill does not pose a serious threat as it would easily be washed away by tides.

Coastal and Marine Management division (CMMD) chief Edmondo Arregadas said that the oil slick is found in the open sea and it’s possible to spread due to weather conditions.

“Depending on the tidal changes, current, or wind direction, it would reach the shoreline,” Arregadas said.

But Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong is not taking the threat lightly.

He ordered the deployment of oil spill booms in barangays Tuyan, Inayagan, Colon, Tinaan, Langtad and Poblacion.

Alternative livelihood

BFAR also announced that they have already released about P132,000 as payment for the mangrove potting, one of the office’s initiative to help fishermen affected by oil spill in Cordova.

Elena Ylanan of BFAR said that they have compensated groups of fishermen in five barangays; Bangbang, Day-as, Catarman, Ibabao, and Alegria. These barangays are considered the most affected. Each fishermen were paid two pesos for each mangrove planted in plastic pots. The seedlings and the pots were provided by BFAR.

BFAR is targeting to provide at least 100,000 mangrove propagules to be potted in the seven identified barangays in Cordova affected by the current oil spill.

As of August 27, around 65,699 pieces of mangrove propagules have been potted, according to Ione Villagonzalo, chief of Finance and Administration Division of BFAR.

BFAR is also targeting 110 households to be given fish balls, squid balls, and tempura to be sold as their alternative source of income. A budget of P1.4 million is being allocated for the program. /with a report from Gabriel C. Bonjoc