The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has allocated over P117.864 million in relief and recovery assistance to areas affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

The assistance is intended to support emergency relief efforts, early recovery initiatives, and mid-to-long-term recovery aid, with a specific focus on municipal fisherfolk communities.

About P4.4 million from the budget allocation has already been utilized for post-harvest training programs for various fisherfolk associations and cooperatives, BFAR said in a Facebook post.

Additionally, over P1.5 million has been disbursed for food assistance, benefiting more than 5,000 fisherfolk who were impacted by the oil spill in the region, it said.

Considerable funds have also been dedicated to the ongoing provision of fiberglass-reinforced plastic boats equipped with marine engines for affected fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro. This initiative aims to aid in their recovery and restore their livelihoods.

To further support the recovery efforts, BFAR has deployed monitoring, control, and surveillance vessels to monitor the affected areas. The agency has also supplied personal protective equipment sets and other materials necessary for clean-up activities.

In addition to the current initiatives, supplementary interventions are being planned. These include the allocation of additional FRP boats, fish aggregating devices, aquaculture feed mill projects, bangus fry, tilapia fingerlings, and fish cages for areas affected by the oil spill.

These interventions aim to facilitate the recovery of the fishing communities and help them regain their economic stability.