Duterte orders agencies to mitigate impact of Taal Lake fish kill

President Rodrigo Duterte has directed government agencies to carry out measures aimed at mitigating the impact of fish kill in Taal Lake in Batangas, Malacañang said Monday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President has “expressed concern about the fish kill, “which according to fisheries experts is caused by sulfur upswelling triggered by the strong amihan (northeast monsoon) that accompanies an extreme temperature drop.”

“The President has directed the appropriate government offices to closely monitor the situation, particularly the water quality in Taal Lake,” Panelo said.

“He also required the officials concerned to undertake measures to mitigate the impact of the natural phenomenon. He ordered increased vigilance over the prices and supplies, as well as the freshness of fish sold in the market.”

The Palace also asked the public to refrain from “spreading false news” on the fish kill “which may only cause undue alarm.”

Authorities said over 600 tons of tilapia valued at P42.9 million have died due to the fish kill which affected 121 affected fish cages in Barangay Buso Buso and Gulod in Laurel town and Barangay Banaga in Agoncillo municipality. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News