Mindoro oil spill:  Income loss hits P400 million due to fishing ban

MANILA, Philippines — The fishing ban being implemented in Oriental Mindoro due to the oil spill from the sunken tanker Princess Empress has resulted in income loss of around P400 million, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said fishermen affected by the oil spill are losing a total of around P19 million per day.

“We based our report on the number of registered fisherfolk in affected areas, which is more than 26,000. The income of each fisherman is about P714 per day,” Briguera said.

He said the amount of losses is expected to further increase in the coming days or weeks.

Briguera said the recommendation of BFAR to implement the fishing ban was based on scientific studies.

“Despite low-level contaminants found in the samples, the bureau recommends keeping fishing bans in oil spill-hit municipalities in Oriental Mindoro since initial analyses are not yet conclusive evidence as far as food safety is concerned,” BFAR said in its latest bulletin.

It said fish samples showed low-level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are harmful to humans and other living organisms.

BFAR said the ban on harvesting seaweed in Caluya, Antique should likewise be retained until it is found safe for human consumption.

Briguera said the agency allocated P4.4 million in livelihood assistance in the form of post-harvest technology packages for 10 fisherfolk associations and cooperatives in the province.

“About P1.5 million was also earmarked for food assistance to 5,000 affected fisherfolk in Mimaropa while P580,500 was spent to help displaced fishing groups in Western Visayas,” he said.

TESDA training

Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will train nearly 3,000 displaced fishermen in Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao towns.

“TESDA is here to provide relevant training programs as part of the collective action to support the upskilling and reskilling of displaced workers,” Director General Danilo Cruz said.

The training programs include oil spill response, meat and fish processing, bread making, hog raising, dressmaking, motorcycle and small engine repair as well as pastry making.

“We need to train them because after temporary employment, they still need to find permanent jobs,” Cruz said. — Rhodina Villanueva