Mandaue oil spill has not affected fishers’ livelihood

CEBU, Philippines - City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, head of the committee on agriculture of the Mandaue City council, said the oil spill that occurred Monday in the city has not affected the livelihood of marginal fishermen.

The Mandaue City Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council met with fishermen from barangays Looc, Labogon, Paknaan, Jagobiao, Umapad, Opao, Subangdaku, and Mantuyong.

Fishermen are asking the ship owner to remove the capsized M/V Angelica Grace as well as its fuel tank  from the water to prevent another untoward incident.

Fishermen fear that the oil tank could leak and cause fish kill in the area.

They also said the ship gets in their way, the fishing ground being small.

“Una dyud untang maapektohan ani ang mga mangingisda sa barangay Looc kay naa diha ang barko nga nalunod apan so far wa man sila’y dyud daw maapektohi ang ila lang nga ma-salvage na ang maong barko,” Lumapas said.  (FREEMAN)