The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) will provide livelihood assistance to the fisherfolks affected by the oil spill from the sunken tanker in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Fishing was earlier banned by Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor days as the oil spill continue to spread, killing fish and damaging marine life.
In a press statement on Tuesday, BFAR said Php 4 million worth of assistance was pledged by BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto during his visit to the province.
"Using the said initial amount, the DA-BFAR will provide livelihood assistance through the provision of post-harvest training and equipment, particularly ten (10) units of smokehouses for fish processing," it said.
"The raw materials for fish processing will be sourced from Occidental Mindoro and other nearby areas not affected by the oil spill," it added.
Apart from the livelihood assistance, the DA-BFAR in partnership with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) will operate Kadiwa Oplan Isda, an existing project which supports fisherfolks by linking them for market fish trade.
The fishery department will likewise extend technical assistance to the provincial local government unit of Oriental Mindoro by "conducting laboratory testing of water and fish samples gathered from the affected areas."
On February 28, an oil tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil capsized off in the vicinity of Tablas Island in Romblon due to engine overheating.
Pola and eight other towns in Oriental Mindoro have been placed in a state of calamity due to the impact of the oil spill.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier reported that the oil spill has already reached Caluya, Antique.
