BFAR7 Releases Funds for Fishers in Cordova

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 released at least P1.4 million worth of funds to be used in rehabilitating the seawaters of Cordova affected by the oil spill and for financial aid for the local fishers as well.

BFAR-7 Assistant Regional Director, Allan Poquita said their office has initially released a sum of P1.4 million for the project, in which they hope can help the local fishermen who have to stop fishing while the oil spill is still being contained. A portion of the money will be use to contain the oil released by the sunken MV St. Thomas Aquinas, which has reached to the shores of the said town.

Poquita said new mangroves will be planted in the 500 hectares of the town’s shoreline which was affected by the oil leak. The massive oil spill, which started in Lawis Ledge off the seawaters of Talisay City where the collision of MV St. Thomas Aquinas and Sulpicio Express 7 happens, reportedly killed a variety of fishes and plants like mangroves in the affected localities.

“Diha usab kuhaon ang pagpahigayun og re-planting sa nangamatay nga mangroves sa 500 hektaryas nga lugar sa kadagatan sa Cordova” he said.

The BFAR official said they will hire the local fishers to help them plant the mangroves and pay them for the job, being part of the assistance they will extend to them.