The fisheries sector logged P5 million loss per day due to the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said on Monday, March 20.
In the Laging Handa public briefing, BFAR Chief Information Officer Nazario Briguera said about 19,000 fisherfolk are affected across nine municipalities in Oriental Mindoro, including Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Basud, Gloria, Roxas, Mansalay, Bongabong, and Bulalacao.
“With the 19,000 affected fisherfolk, base sa [registry ng aming fisherfolk], tinitingnan namin na estimate is P5 million ang [nawawalang kita] araw-araw dahil sa hindi pagkakaroon ng hanapbuhay ng mga mangingisda habang nakasara itong mga pangisdaan kung [saan] sila ay naghahanapbuhay,” Briguera said.
He stressed that the government continues to roll out livelihood assistance to affected fisherfolk and residents, as well as technical intervention to local government units for monitoring and assessment on the impact of the oil spill.
Meanwhile, despite the fishing bans imposed in affected areas, Briguera assured the consuming public that fish supply will remain sufficient.
“Sa ngayon ay hindi pa naman natin ramdam on a national scale iyong shortage ng supply ng isda, although expected na diyan sa mga immediate areas, sa locality ng mga apektadong lugar ay posibleng limitado ang supply ng isda dahil nagpatupad ng fishing ban ang local government units sa mga apektadong lugar,” Briguera said. CF/with report from Naomi Tiburcio – gb
