Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15) — The government is eyeing to tap alternative fishing sites in a bid to help fisherfolk affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.
In a statement on Saturday, Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tasked the Department of the Interior and Local Government to schedule dialogues with local officials in Calabarzon and Mimaropa to let displaced fishers ply their waters.
Marcos made the order during a situation briefing with government officials in Pola town earlier in the day.
“The four alternative fishing sites in Regions 4-A and 4-B include Mindoro Strait in Mindoro Oriental, Cuyo Pass in Batangas, Tablas Strait in Romblon, and Tayabas Bay in Quezon,” the Palace noted.
In his first visit to Pola — the area most affected by the oil slick which started on Feb. 28 — the chief executive conducted an aerial inspection and met with various national and local executives to tackle the government’s response.
He also led the distribution of aid and vowed continuous assistance for the affected communities.
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Marcos said concerned agencies will continue to monitor the situation on the ground.
“DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] will continue to monitor the situation. BFAR [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources] will continue to monitor the situation. As soon as maging — ma-clear na, makabalik na tayo sa dating normal (As soon as we get clear this, we can go back to our old normal),” he said.
