FISHERFOLKS affected by the oil spill caused by the sinking of a tanker off Limay, Bataan two weeks ago have lost at least P78.69 million in income, according to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center.
The DA attached agency said as of 9 a.m. yesterday, some 28,373 fisherfolks and 5,810 boats have been affected by the oil spill.
The agency also reiterated that fishing bans have been declared in Las Piñas, Parañaque; Abucay, Balanga City, Limay, Mariveles and Samal in Bataan; and in Bacoor City, Cavite City, Kawit, Maragondon, Naic, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza and Ternate in Cavite.
In a separate bulletin, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it has been conducting on-ground monitoring and assessment of fishing areas and communities potentially affected by three consecutive maritime incidents in the waters of Bataan.
Aside from the tanker MTKR Terranova that sank near the coast of Lamao Point in Limay last July 25, the MTKR Jayson Bradley also sank in the shallow waters of Mariveles last July 27 while MV Mirola 1 ran aground in the waters of Mariveles last July 31.
BFAR has deployed personnel in catch landing sites and local markets in affected and nearby areas to ensure that oil spill-contaminated seafood does not reach the consumers and evaluate market dynamics to maintain the price stability of fish.
The agency said its floating assets have also been mobilized to assist partner agencies in monitoring and surveillance, clean-up operations and fabrication and deployment of oil spill booms using used nets and coco fiber.
BFAR assured it is also in close coordination with the Provincial Local Government Units and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to expedite the early recovery program.
It is also set to release fuel subsidies and additional food packs and relief packages to mitigate the impact of the oil spill on the livelihood of displaced fisherfolks while validating alternative areas for capture fishing.
“As a safety measure, the Bureau advises against consuming fish caught in areas where oil slicks have been observed. This is to avoid incidents of food poisoning as a result of ingesting
contaminated seafood,” BFAR said in its advisory.
Authorities have fabricated the metal caps needed to seal the storage tanks of the tanker MTKR Terranova that sank while carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil.
In an ambush interview yesterday afternoon, Coast Guard Station Bataan commander Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina said four of the metal caps have been delivered.
“Four metal caps were initially delivered. Yesterday (last Tuesday), one of them was installed. We will verify if the other three were already successfully installed,” Encina said, adding they expect the delivery of the other metal caps in the coming days.
Earlier yesterday, Encina told an online press briefing that the salvor has provided them pictures of the fabricated metal caps.
He was referring to Harbor Star, the salvage firm hired by the owner of the ill-fated MTKR Terranova that sank last July 25 after it was battered by huge waves.
The metal caps will replace the canvass-type capping bags that were earlier installed on the valves of the storage tanks to contain leaking oil from the sunken vessel.
PCG officials have said the canvass-type capping should be replaced with metal caps to ensure the tanks would not leak anew once the siphoning of the fuel cargo begins.
“For sure, they (metal caps) have been already fabricated because pictures were already provided to us,” said Encina.
Last Thursday, the PCG said the salvor was given one week to fabricate the metal caps and another week to install the metal caps.
When the installation is completed, the siphoning of the fuel cargo will start. — With Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
