Calapan fishing ban lifted

MANILA, Philippines — The fishing ban in Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro was lifted on Friday night after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) certified that marine products in the area are safe for human consumption.

In a radio interview, Calapan city administrator Raymund Ussam cited tests conducted by BFAR on water samples in Calapan, which showed that it is safe for fishing despite the oil slick from the sunken MT Princess Empress.

“Our mayor called for a council meeting and it was decided based on the advisory from experts from BFAR... there is no reason to declare a fishing ban in Calapan in the absence of any scientific findings that the water is contaminated,” Ussam said.

Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor confirmed on Friday that the oil spill had reached Calapan.

“At present, we continue with our interventions like spill booms and cleanup with the Philippine Coast Guard,” Ussam said.

He said the effect of the oil slick in the city remains minimal.

Caritas Philippines, the social action and development arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, called on the government and other stakeholders to prioritize the needs of residents affected by the oil spill. – Robertzon Ramirez