BFAR to provide aid to fishers affected by Oriental Mindoro oil spill

BFAR logo. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday that it would provide livelihood assistance to fisherfolk affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

BFAR Director Demosthenes Escoto committed an initial allotment of P4 million for the immediate implementation of alternative livelihood for fisherfolk whose primary source of income was disrupted by the oil spill since the local government is enforcing a fishing ban in the affected areas.

With the initial amount, Escoto said, the BFAR will provide aid by giving post-harvest training and equipment, particularly 10 units of smokehouses for fish processing.

The BFAR said raw materials for fish processing would be sourced from Occidental Mindoro and other nearby areas unaffected by the oil spill.

It will also operationalize the Kadiwa Oplan Isda, an ongoing project that helps fisherfolk by creating market links.

Under this program, fishing cooperatives from both Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro will be linked for fish commerce while the BFAR will provide logistical support such as reefer vans.

“The BFAR is determined to help our affected fisherfolk cope with the loss of income due to the fishing ban resulting from the oil spill. We are implementing these immediate livelihood interventions which will be coursed through the provincial agriculture office of Oriental Mindoro for a centralized and strategic distribution to our fisherfolk beneficiaries,” Escoto said in a statement.

The BFAR official also said they would provide the provincial government with technical support by “conducting laboratory testing of water and fish samples” from the impacted areas.

“The result of the tests will be used in determining and recommending areas that are safe for fishing activities.”

The oil spill that ensued after MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, sank off Naujan town February 28 has so far affected around 11,000 fisherfolk families in the municipalities of Naujan and Pola, as well as its surrounding regions, according to a report from local authorities. – Kimberly D. Albaño, INQUIRER.net intern

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KGA/abc