Fishing activities are now allowed in all waters of Oriental Mindoro, including Pola town, approximately five months since the oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress happened.
This was announced by Oriental Mindoro Governor Hurmelito 'Bonz' Dolor on Thursday.
"Today, ating idinideklara na bukas na ang pangisdaan at ang gawain sa lahat ng baybayin ng Oriental Mindoro," he said.
According to Dolor, the latest data and recommendation from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed that the oil and grease levels on the coast of Oriental Mindoro are now within the Class SC standard
"[W]ala nang presensya ng PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) mula sa demersal at pelagic species. Ito ay nangangahulugang maari ng payagan ang pangingisda sa karagatan ng Pola," he said.
In a separate post, Pola Mayor Jennifer Mindanao Cruz said swinging in the waters of Pola is still prohibited as oil is still present.
"Simula po bukas pwede na po pumalaot sa ang ating mangingisda sa Pola sang ayon sa FB post ng ating Governor …. subalit sa kadahilanan na nakikita pa po natin na may oil pa sa ating dalampasigan pinagbabawal po natin ang paliligo muna sa dagat Para po sa inyong kalusugan ang ating iniintidi," the post read.
On May 8, the fishing ban was first lifted in the towns of Baco, San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Bongabong, Mandalay, Bulalacao, and Roxas.
The same restriction was lifted in Naujan and Pinamalayan on June 26, while the ban remained in Pola.
The oil spill cleanup was completed on June 16.
