Health dep’t maintains fishing ban off Romblon province

MANILA, Philippines - The ban on fishing in the waters off Romblon province stays insofar as the Department of Health is concerned. In a press conference at the department’s central office in Manila, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday said the ban is maintained pending the result of laboratory tests on water samples taken from the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars, which carried 10 metric tons of the toxic chemical endosulfan. "We deemed it necessary to impose a temporary ban on fishing in Romblon province, especially in Sibuyan island, in order to ensure the safety of everyone, since laboratory tests are ongoing," Mr. Duque said. He said the ban was imposed only in Romblon. "Fishes and other marine resources from all other provinces in the country are generally safe." Mr. Duque said although initial water sample tests proved negative from chemical contamination, further tests will still be conducted on water samples from other parts of the sunken ship. In Thursday’s briefing, the department also presented the results of the laboratory test conducted by National Pesticide Analytical Laboratory on the water sample taken from the ship’s cargo section. "The water sample from the said part of the ship likewise shows no indication of endosulfan and other chemical contamination," Mr. Duque said. Dr. Lyn Panganiban, a toxicologist from the University of the Philippine-Philippine General Hospital, meanwhile, recommended new tests for the water samples to validate the results. Subsidy Mr. Duque said he and Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap, will propose to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a subsidy to Romblon fishermen. "About P30 million-P35 million will be needed by the government in providing subsidy to the fisherfolk in Romblon," Mr. Duque said. He said the subsidy should last for three months. He said Sulpicio Lines, Inc. and Del Monte Philippines, Inc. should also help the affected fisherfolk and their families. Sulpicio Lines is the owner of M/V Princess of the Stars, while Del Monte Philippines was the shipper of the endosulfan pesticide for its pineapple plantations. In a telephone interview, Mr. Yap said aside from the subsidy, the Agriculture department is setting aside about P500 million in trading fund. "If they are not able to sell fish even after lifting the ban, we’re ready to absorb it... We’re ready to bring [their produce to Metro Manila]," he said. — Elizabeth T. Marcelo, BusinessWorld