Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino called on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to be proactive in helping fishermen displaced by the massive oil spill from the sunken MT Terra Nova.
Tolentino filed Senate Resolution number 1048, which seeks to conduct a Senate inquiry on the cause, extent, and impact of the oil spill caused by the ill- fated tanker.
The Senator stressed the importance of continuous dialogue between BFAR and fishermen’s organizations Pamalakaya.
Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairperson said BFAR announced that it would provide fuel subsidies to affected fishermen.
But Hicap said this was insufficient because what their sector needs are alternative sources of income.
He lamented that many fishers have lost their livelihood due to the oil spill.
The oil spill led to the prohibition of fishing imposed by several local governments.
“If they can’t fish, they can’t eat. With many fishing grounds affected by the oil spill and fishing ban, then what will happen to our livelihood?” Hicap asked.
The BFAR earlier declared that fish caught from affected coastal areas as unsafe for consumption.
The agency also estimated that the disaster could displace over 46,000 fishers based in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bong Revilla wants to hold accountable the owner of the sunken tanker that initially caused an oil spill in the waters of Bataan which has now reached the coastal towns of Cavite.
Revilla said the oil spill is already affecting the livelihood of the local fisherfolk.
According to the Provincial Government of Cavite, eight towns in the province are already affected by the said oil spill namely, Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate.
On Friday, it prohibited the catching and selling of all marine products coming to the coastal areas to avoid oil contamination.
Revilla noted that this necessitated the declaration of state of calamity in the said areas.
“We are not looking for somebody to blame. Nobody wanted the tanker to sink due to the strong typhoon last week. But we have to do something to avoid a recurrence of this incident,” said Revilla.
He pointed out that the owner of the sunken tanker should help and lead the cleaning of the oil spill.
Revilla also raised that compensation for the liability on environmental damages of the capsized oil tanker should be claimed against the insurance of the owners.
