BFAR says Oriental Mindoro LGU may allow fishing to resume

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro may consider ordering the resumption of fishing activities in seven municipalities affected by a recent oil spill.

“The fishing waters in Clusters 4 (Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao) and 5 (Puerto Galera, Baco, San Teodoro) were found to be within acceptable standards for fishing activities.

The provincial government of Mindoro may consider the resumption of fishing activities in the said municipalities,” a BFAR statement, quoted by GMA News, said.

Meanwhile, it still recommended keeping the fishing ban in Calapan, Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, and Bansud due to the risk of contamination from traces of oil that have yet to be removed from the area, GMA News reported.

BFAR said traces of oil were ob - served during onsite monitoring of sea surface in Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, and Bansud during sampling and added that water samples collected last April 24 showed that oil and grease remained in affected areas but these are still within the standard (3.0 mg/L) set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Class SC waters or Fishery Water Class and Recreational Water Class that are suited for boating and fish-

PRC returns to Bohol to give shelter units to disaster victims

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) returned to Bohol and turned over full shelter units to numerous affected families in the province.

Bohol was among the provinces severely hit by Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), which made landfall in December 2021.

The PRC provided extensive relief assistance to numerous affected municipalities of Bohol in the initial months and then assisted the province in its gradual transition to the recovery phase.

“Kaagapay ng ating mga kakabayang apektado ng Odette ang Philippine Red Cross. Habang nanalasa ang bagyong

Odette, ang ating mga volunteers at staff ay tumutulong sa page-evacuate ng mga na-stranded. Sa mga evacuation center ay namahagi naman tayo ng hot meals at tubig. Matapos ang ilang buwan ay nagsimula ang shelter assistance projects ng PRC,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said.

PRC’s WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Unit hastened the provision of water supply to communities with no access to safe water, distributing 2, 974, 500 liters of water to 175, 509 individuals. In addition to food assistance such as hot meals and bread, the PRC likewise provided psychological support to af-

Fire hydrant inspection in Angeles City

By Macon Ramos Araneta

PRIMEWATER Infrastructure Corp. and Angeles City Water District (ACWD) together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted a regular fire hydrant inspection in Angeles City to ensure the prevention of fire incidents this dry season. The group inspected various fire hydrants across Angeles City Pampanga as part of their regular checking, cleaning, and maintenance. Some of the areas covered in the inspection were the fire hydrant installations at Lourdes North West and Sto. Rosario in the city. The partnership of PrimeWater and fected adults and children, assisting the affected families in coping with and outliving the trauma of displacement. ing activities, as well as fish propagation intended for commercial and sustenance purposes.

ACWD is currently maintaining 225 fire hydrants in Angeles City that will be used for quick response during fire incidents to save lives and mitigate property damage.

Fire hydrants that are being maintained are those installed in Barangays Capaya, Cutud, Pampang, Pulung Cacutud, Sto. Cristo, Mining, Lourdes Northwest, Tabun, Anunas, Cut-cut, Pandan, Pulung Maragul, Sto. Domingo, San Jose, Cuayan, San Nicolas, Sapangbato, Pulong Bulo, Sapalibutad, Agapito Del Rosario, Ninoy Aquino, Sto. Rosario, Lourdes Sur, Lourdes Sur East, Claro M. Recto, Salapungan, Sta. Teresita, Virgen Delos Remedios, Margot, and Sta. Trinidad.

The PRC increased the COVID-19 vaccine adherence and uptakes in the province, dispensed medicines, and conducted health promotion to 7, 203 affected individuals, which helped prevent the transmission of contagious diseases in evacuation centers and affected areas.

The PRC, through the support of its partners and donors, also distributed I,252 pieces of tarpaulin, 934 mosquito nets, 934 blankets, 934 plastic mats, and 492 kitchen sets to address the other basic necessities of affected families.

The BFAR also said that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), on the other hand, were no longer detected in most of the fish samples collected last April 17, except for pelagic fish samples from Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, Puerto Galera, Baco, and San Teodoro, GMA News reported.