SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- Fisherfolks in Pola, Oriental Mindoro are opting for other means of livelihood as the oil spill brought about by the MT Princess Empress halted their fishing activities, affecting their primary source of income.

In an interview, Pola fisherfolks associations president Alvin Villanueva said that the fisherfolks are turning to other means of livelihood to provide for their families, engaging to construction work, carpentry, and other available sideline.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recorded an estimate average daily income loss of P714.00 per day for each fisherfolk due to the oil spill. This translates to P20 million income losses per day.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will personally visit their area and  spearhead the awarding of interventions from BFAR and other government agencies for the affected fisherfolks in the municipality and neighboring towns. Interventions by the BFAR include the awarding of 14 fishing equipment and cash assistance amounting to P20,000.00 per beneficiary.

With this assistance, Villanueva expressed his gratitude for the interventions they will receive and wishes a speedy clean up of the oil spill to the President to be able to return to their fishing activities.

“Ang gusto po namin maging mensahe sa aming Pangulo ay malinis po ang aming coastal area at maalis po ng tuluyan ang langis ng lumubog na barko nang sa ganon po ay tuluyan na po kaming makapangisda. Para ‘yung aming mga kababayan at kasamang mga maliliit na mangingisda po ay makapangisda dahil hirap na hirap na po sila (What we want to say to the president is that we hope that our coastal area will be cleared of the oil spill as soon as possible, so that we can return to our fishing activities. The people will be able to fish, especially those marginalized fisherfolk who are greatly affected by the incident),” he said. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA)