THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has recommended that fishing bans be continued in the municipalities of Naujan, Pola and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro due to the continued risk of contamination from the oil spill that struck the province last February.
The agency said its latest analyses showed traces of oil and grease in water samples are slightly up in comparison to the baseline data but are still within the standard limit of 3 mg per liter for Class SC waters or those suited for boating and fishing activities, as well as fish propagation intended for commercial and sustenance purposes.
It added that based on currently available data, fishing waters in Calapan, Bansud and Gloria are now well within the standards for fishing activities. Its analyses also showed that fishing waters in Bongabong, Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Baco, Puerto Galera and San Teodoro remained safe for fishing activities.
The agency said traces of oil have yet to be removed in Naujan, Pola and Pinamalayan.
While it continues its testing, BFAR is eyeing to provide over P117.86 million worth of emergency and relief assistance, early recovery efforts, and mid-to-long-term recovery aid to oil spill-hit areas.
Of the said amount, P12 million has been allocated for fuel assistance to affected fisherfolk in Mimaropa; P4.4 million was spent for post-harvest training for various fisherfolk associations and cooperatives; and over P1.5 million was utilized for food assistance to more than 5,000 affected fisherfolk in the region.
BFAR said there are also funds allocated for the ongoing grant and capacity-building efforts of fiberglass-reinforced plastic boats with marine engines for affected fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro.
The agency also deployed monitoring, control and surveillance vessels, as well as personal protective equipment sets and other materials for clean-up activities.
BFAR also said there are supplementary interventions in the pipeline, including the grant of additional fiberglass-reinforced plastic boats, fish aggregating devices, aquaculture feed mill projects, bangus fry, tilapia fingerlings and fish cages to areas affected by the oil spill.
