Fishermen ask when will fishing ban end in oil spill-hit Oriental Mindoro

Published May 09, 2023 09:08 PM By GMA Integrated News

Fishermen in Oriental Mindoro issued a plea to the government to make known its plans on the lifting of the fishing ban in their area as the prohibition has been depriving them a source of livelihood, according to a report by Tina Panganiban-Perez on "24 Oras."

“Walang nagsasabi kung kailan po muli kaming makapangisda at mabuksan ang municipal water. Ang tanong po namin, hanggang kailan po at saan po kami kukuha ng pang-araw-araw na gastusin?” Aldrin Villanueva, one of the fishermen who spoke at the inquiry of the House of Representatives said.

(No one is telling us when we will be able to fish again and when the municipal water will be opened. Our question is, where will we get our daily expenses?)

Fishermen were prohibited from conducting fishing activities due to the oil spill that hit the province's two months after the sinking of a motor tanker.

“Dapat sairin yung langis sa ilalim po dahil kada lakas ng dagat, umaangat po siya eh di pabalik-balik lang po ang problema,” he added.

(The oil at the bottom should be removed because every time the wave gets stronger, it rises on the surface.)

The MT Princess Empress sank

on February 28 off Najuan, Oriental Mindoro while carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel, affecting almost a hundred thousand residents in the province. All 20 people onboard were rescued.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the implementation of the fishing ban depends on the result of the testing it conducts regularly on the waters and marine organisms.

BFAR official Emmanuel Asis said the fishing ban is still in effect in at least six municipalities.

“Ito bang six municipalities, adjacent ang tubig? (Is the water adjacent in these six municipalities?)” Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., House Committee on Natural Resources chair, said.

“Yes, sir,” Asis answered.

“Paano ninyo mape-prevent ang fish na lumipat doon… nirerequire ang passport? (How can you prevent the fish from migrating there… is passport required?)” Barzaga said in jest.

Asis, however, said that their recommendation is based on the sampling results.

Some lawmakers got dismayed after the owner of MT Princess Empress did not attend the hearing.

The captain of the vessel, who attended virtually, said he was the only one invited.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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