P15,000 monthly sought for fishers hit by oil spill

August 16, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) yesterday pushed for P15,000 in monthly subsidy for each fisherman displaced by the sinking of oil tankers in Bataan.

Pamalakaya vice chairman Ronnel Arambulo made the call after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) denied an appeal to lift the fishing ban imposed on eight municipalities in Cavite.

“The amount (P15,000) is based on the average income of a small fisherman every month,” Arambulo said.

However, Arnel de Mesa, spokesman for the Department of Agriculture, said the DA has no budget to fund the P15,000 monthly subsidy for fishermen, unless it is part of the General Appropriations Act.

Earlier, BFAR spokesman Nasser Briguera said the agency has no plan to recommend the lifting of the fishing ban, saying fish caught in coastal areas affected by the oil spill remain unsafe for human consumption.

Briguera cited laboratory examination results of fish samples taken from Cavite, which showed these did not pass the safety standard.

Arambulo urged the BFAR to conduct further studies, including chemical analysis, to prove that fish caught in Cavite are not fit for human consumption.

“Sensory analysis is not enough as it does not measure the chemical content of the fish. The result showing fish samples are contaminated with oil is not absolute,” Arambulo said.

The BFAR said that based on sensory evaluation, fish samples taken from Cavite show traces of oil and grease and presence of harmful contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

“More tests are needed like chemical analysis before BFAR can declare that the fish is not safe for human consumption,” Arambulo argued as he reiterated the need to immediately lift the fishing ban, which was imposed starting on July 30.

He said the ban is more detrimental to fishermen than the effects of the oil spill itself.

“The livelihoods of more than 30,000 fishermen in eight towns in Cavite were not considered before imposing the ban,” Arambulo said.

He criticized what he described as a measly assistance provided to affected fishermen.

“The relief assistance is not enough and it is not regular. If the fishing ban in the province will continue, the support to affected fishermen should be ensured as their source of income is only fishing,” Arambulo said.

The ban remains in place in Bacoor, Kawit, Maragondon, Naic, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza and Ternate.

A no-catch zone has been implemented for all shellfish in the province.