By Jemin B. Guillermo, J.D.
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) –The government has continuously been providing assistance to the communities, particularly the fisherfolks whose livelihood was affected by the oil spill in the waters of Oriental Mindoro.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director lawyer Demosthenes R. Escoto disclosed that to date, the Bureau has already allocated about P22 million-worth of livelihood assistance for affected fishing communities.
These aid includes the P4.4 million-worth of post-harvest technology packages for 10 fisherfolk associations and cooperatives or 689 families; and P12 million-worth of fuel subsidy for affected fisherfolk fishing in alternative fishing grounds.
He added that the Department of Agriculture (DA)-BFAR is also eyeing to provide fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats to affected fisherfolk municipalities, among other additional interventions.
For food and relief assistance, Escoto said that the DA-BFAR earmarked P1.5 million for the provision of food assistance to 5,689 affected fisherfolk in MIMAROPA, while P580,500.00 was spent to help displaced fishing groups in Western Visayas.
According to him, since the onset of the oil spill, the DA-BFAR has been monitoring the situation in affected areas, namely, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas and CALABARZON.
It has also provided technical support such as analyzing water and seafood for contaminants and formulating science-based recommendations on fishing bans. It also provided livelihood interventions, food and relief assistance, and clean-up assistance to protect the public from hazards caused by the oil spill and to address the needs of affected fisherfolk and their families.
“Data from DA-BFAR showed that there were 26,719 FishR registered fisherfolks directly affected by the oil spill as of March 31, 2023. They incurred an average daily income loss of P714.00 on current PSA estimates, with almost P20 million daily losses—which translated to a total income loss of P441,253,428.00 in 22 fishing days,” noted Escoto in his report.
Meanwhile, the damage or losses in terms of inputs and produce, fishing gears and paraphernalia, and facilities and equipment amounted to a total of P445,333,928.00.
These damage losses include: Fisheries Production Losses from MIMAROPA’s Commercial and Municipal Fisheries valued at P14,138,400.00; and damage to 119 metric tons (MT) of Seaweed Productions in Western Visayas valued at almost P3 million.
Today, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will lead the distribution of various government asssitance to the affected fishing communities in the province.
Prior to the distribution of aid, the President will conduct an aerial inspection of the waters and coastal areas affected by the oil spill from the ill-fated MT Princess Empress. Thereafter, he will be briefed about the status of the containment and the clean-up efforts
In his initial directive days after the incident, President Marcos Jr. ordered a whole-of-nation approach in containing the oil spill and in assisting the affected fishing communities. (DA-BFAR/PIA MIMAROPA)
Source: Philippine Information Agency