The oceans in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, are now safe for fishing, according to Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz on Wednesday, February 28.
"Nai-lift na rin namin kahapon ang state of calamity para tuluyan nang makapangisda ang mga fisherfolk. Makikita pa talaga ang mga nakalagay pa sa bato na oil spill. Pero wala nang makikita na mga oil sa dalampasigan," the mayor said in an interview during Damdaming Bayan.
Cruz confirmed that seafood in the area can now be eaten after the local government unit (LGU) of Pola conducted a test.
"Yong ligtas, wala kasi akong science-based. Ang sa akin kasi, base sa aming nakikita. So far, ang ibang nahuhuli, na-try naming kainin, this time wala na at safe nang kainin. Ang test namin, kinain namin. Kami na mismo nag-try at local government.," she noted.
Aside from eating seafood, Cruz said that it is also now safe to take a bath in the ocean.
A clean-up drive is still being conducted on the island, as there is still grease or traces of the oil spill.
On February 26, the state of calamity declared in Pola was lifted while water activities returned by the LGU to revive tourism.
It can be recalled that on February 28, 2023, the oil tanker MT Princess Empress sank in the vicinity waters off Naujan and leaked its cargo containing 800,000 liters of crude oil.
The oil spill spread from Naujan to the Verde Island Passage in Batangas.
