FISHERFOLKS in Masantol town continue to reel from the millions-worth of aquaculture products they incurred following the destructive floods brought about by continuous rains.
Arlene Bonifacio, Masantol Municipal Agriculture Office head, said that an estimated P123,624,647 worth of fishery products were lost during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon accompanied by the high tide.
She noted that some 55,267 kilos of sugpo (prawns) amounting to P58,854,873 and 31,768 kilos of crabs amounting to some P27,935,083 were affected by the recent calamity.
Likewise, 134,267 kilos of milkfish amounting to P35,554,440 and over 21,337 kilos of tilapia amounting to P1,280,250 also went to waste after fishponds unexpectedly overflowed, Bonifacio said.
Bonifacio noted that a total of 1,901 hectares of fishpens managed by at least 944 fishpond operators were affected by the calamity and are seeking assistance from the government.
“We only recorded the loss reported by the fishpond operators but there are also simple fishermen who were also affected by the calamity that were not documented so we urge them to coordinate with our office to receive due assistance,” Bonifacio said.
She said that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the local government here is already set to provide assistance to the affected fishpond operators through fingerlings distribution.