Stomach-turning Double Dead Fish

Stomach-turning In Double Dead Fish

MANILA, Philippines – The situation in Taal Lake may take a month before it returns to normal, according to Batangas Governor Vilma Santos.

In a phone interview with ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol, Santos admitted that finding a location to bury the tons of dead fishes has been a problem.

“Nahihirapan humanap ng mga papayag na maghukay at doon ilibing ang mga patay na isda. Kulang na kulang ang mga lugar na pagbabaonan ng mga isda,” she said.

The actress-turned-local politician said the province can provide burial lots in other Batangas towns but transporting the dead fish may invite more risks.
“Mayroon din mga provision lot ang probinsiya, ngunit ito’y nasa malalayong lugar katulad ng Rosario. Pinag-iisipan ng health department na kapag kinuha ang mga isda at iba-biyahe, baka lalong hindi maging maganda sa kalusugan ng lahat ng dadaanan,” she said.
Santos continues to call on the private sector to help the local government in disposing the tons of dead fish.
The towns of Talisay, Agoncillo, Laurel, San Nicolas, Cuenca, Alitagtag, and Santa Teresita have been placed under a state of calamity because of the massive fishkill in the province.
The province has lost more than P141 million because of the fishkill.
Task Force Taal
Santos said the dismantling of illegal fish pens in Taal Lake has been the local government’s endeavor for 3 years in a project called “Task Force Taal”.
“Alam namin na hindi na maganda ang kalagayan ng tubig diyan sa Taal. I’m proud to say na libo na din ang aming natanggal na fish pens diyan,” she said.
She even admitted that her fight against illegal fish pens in Taal almost cost her the election.
Illegal fish pens in Taal were ordered dismantled by the Department of Interior and Local Government on Thursday, as these have been found to be the reason for the fishkill phenomenon.
Open fishing
Santos proposed that “open fishing” policy be implemented in Taal Lake, to give locals more control in maintaining the quality of the lake.
“Dapat ang nagmamay-ari ng lawa ay Batangueño. Iba ang nakikinabang, nagiging trabahador ang mga Batangueño,” she said.
The health department earlier said the fishermen wading into the lake without gloves and boots could soon suffer from skin diseases.
If they ingest the water, it could lead to diarrhea.
The local government said health workers are on standby to assist the fishermen and residents.
The recent fishkill has slowed down the tourism industry at Taal Lake, which is still reeling from the renewed activity of Taal Volcano. -- With a report from ANC


Source: abs-cbnnews.com