Mandaue mulls rent moratorium for fish vendors

FISH vendors of the new Mandaue City Public Market are appealing to consumers not to be afraid of eating fish as this has affected their earnings since the sea tragedy occurred.

And, a moratorium on the payment of market rentals for the affected fish vendors has been proposed.

City councilor Jimmy Lumapas said he will propose to the city council the passage of an ordinance for a moratorium on the monthly stall rental of affected fish vendors.

Fe Bolo, a fish vendor said people should not be afraid of eating fish because their supply of fish comes from areas like General Santos in Mindanao, Palawan, Bogo, Bantayan Island and Leyte provinces,

“Minus kaayo mi og halin kay tungod man gud sa istorya nga ang mga isda nakakaon og tawo tungod sa nalunod nga barko [We have been getting very low salesbecause of the notion that fish might have eaten human flesh of victims from the sunken MV St. Thomas Aquinas.],” Bolo said.

Allan Poquita, the assistant regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR 7) explained that the area where the boat sank might no longer have fish due to the oil spill.

“They are sensitive and could have migrated to other areas where they are safe, besides, the area is a no fishing area since that sea tragedy,” he said.

He said that if fish and or any marine products including crabs, shrimps, shells, squids etc. smell of crude or bunker oil, then one should avoid it as these oils are hazardous to health.

“Fisherfolk are no longer allowed to fish or gather any marine products in areas affected by the oil spill because they know there will be no buyers especially if it smells of oil,” he added.

Market Administrator Mosulini Suliva, through the Public Information Office (PIO) led by Roger Paller called for a press conference yesterday morning to make a public announcement that fish and sea food sold in Mandaue Public Market are safe for human consumption.

Oil spill

Ricky Bulacan, chief of the Bantay Dagat said the oil spill has reached the Mactan Channel and Cansaga Bay where fish cages abound.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, according to Bulacan has started distributing free food packs consisting of canned goods, noodles and rice to affected fisherfolk.