Tiu Laurel orders BFAR to aid fisherfolk hit by Bataan oil spill

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued a directive to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday to assist fisherfolk affected by the oil spill from a sunken vessel off the coast of Bataan.

In a statement, the Agriculture chief said the BFAR is currently assessing damaged areas to determine the kind and extent of assistance to be provided to affected fisherfolk.

The BFAR has engaged third-party laboratories to test water samples around the sunken ship to determine the presence of oil and grease, including harmful contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

“For now, we can only give fuel vouchers so fishermen can go to nearby fishing grounds,” Tiu Laurel said.

“I also asked BFAR to coordinate with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) so the agency can also give food packs to affected fisherfolk,” he added.

The DA chief said BFAR is also providing dispersants to help treat the oil that leaked from MT Terranova, which sank in the waters off Limay, Bataan, on July 25.

MT Terranova was transporting 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel when it capsized.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the vessel's valves have been sealed to ensure that no oil will leak before salvage operations are undertaken. —VBL, GMA Integrated News