President says fish caught in Cavite are edible

President Marcos announced on Wednesday that fishing activities in the coastal waters of Cavite province can now resume after the oil that spilled from three tankers in July was successfully contained.

During an aid distribution event in General Trias City, the chief executive also provided government assistance to fishermen in Cavite whose livelihoods were severely disrupted by the three separate oil spills that occurred as the country was hit by a confluence of weather disturbances.

Each beneficiary received PHP 6,500 while other affected fishermen will receive the same amount in subsequent distributions.

It may be recalled that the MKTR Terranova, MTKR Jason Bradley and MV Mirola 1 were involved in accidents in the coastal waters of Limay and Mariveles, Bataan, but their cargo of industrial fuel was carried to neighboring provinces.

“Rest assured, the government is taking steps to address the damage caused by incidents like this,” the chief executive said.

The oil spills affected more than 25,000 families and disrupted the livelihoods of more than 33,000 fishermen in the province, with losses estimated at more than 250 million pesos.

Mr. Marcos also announced that to help with their recovery, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will provide assistance worth PHP18 million, including post-harvest materials, training and financial assistance for fuel.

Additionally, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already distributed nearly P70 million in emergency aid to affected families.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also contributed over PHP8 million to support displaced workers in Tanzania and Naic under its Emergency Employment Program.

About 9,000 families in the cities of Cavite and Bacoor, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon and Ternate received cash assistance from the Office of the President.

The distribution took place at the General Trias Sports Park in Barangay Santiago.

During the event, Mr. Marcos also handed over a symbolic check to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla in the amount of P161.5 million for the provincial government of Cavite.

He stressed that the national government’s aid is aimed at helping local communities cope with the economic effects of the disaster.

The President also assured affected residents that the government was investigating the shipwrecks to hold those responsible to account and ensure that affected residents receive compensation.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino commended Marcos for his genuine concern for the fishermen and their families, saying the aid would sustain them as they wait for compensation from the owner and insurer of the MT Terranova.

Tolentino, a native of Cavite, recently filed Senate Resolution 1084, which called for an investigation into the massive oil spill caused by the three vessels whose operating licenses are now in question.

Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally published as “Marcos extends aid to Cavite fishermen hit by oil spill.”