CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Fishermen from Masantol town reportedly suffered almost P200,000 in production losses due to the suspected fish kill allegedly caused by chemical discharge of an alcohol plant.
This was based on the report submitted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Central Luzon to the Provincial Board recently.
According to the summary report, hundreds of dead tilapia, kanduli, shrimps and other water creatures were recovered along the Pampanga River on September 20; a day after the fish kill was reported.
The total amount of dead fishes reached P193,573, the report read.
Fisher folk from Masantol town disputed the reports of BFAR-Central Luzon, saying their losses almost reached P1 million.
Former vice mayor now Coastal Emergency Officer Marcelo "Bajun" Lacap said that the daily production of fishermen in Masantol totals to around P100,000.
He noted that the fish kill, allegedly caused by molasses spill from an alcohol plant, has been affecting the fishermen's livelihood for almost two weeks now.
"Hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na P100,000 o P200,000 lang kasi araw-araw lumalaki yan. Everyday na walang ma-harvest, lumalaki ang pagkalugi namin," Lacap noted.
'Fishing on the other fence'
Due to the lack of harvest from the Pampanga River, fishermen in Masantol town might cross the waters of nearby Bataan province.
Lacap said that they will try to coordinate with the local government of Bataan if they can share their resources to Kapampangan fishermen affected by the fish kill.
"Alam namin hindi ganoon kadali dahil may batas na sinusunod pero kailangan namin mag-take ng risk or else, walang makakain ang pamilya namin," he said.
He said that the Pampanga River might take at least four months before it can replenish the resources it lost due to the fish kill.