A coalition of communities, sectors, and advocates for the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP) raised alarm over the decision of Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor to lift the fishing ban in some towns upon the recommendation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The group Protect VIP noted that Dolor lifted the ban in Baco, San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, and Bulalacao, while allowing fisherfolk from towns where the ban is still in effect like Bansud, Gloria, Pinamalayan and Pola to fish in the waters of other towns. “We understand the urgency of letting our fisherfolk make a living, but we question why the ban is being lifted when MT Princess Empress continues to leak toxic oil into the waters of VIP,” Gerry Arances, Executive Director of sustainability think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) and Co-Convenor of Protect VIP said in a statement.

Mayuga, J. L. (2023, May 9). Lifting of Mindoro fishing ban may be premature, group says. BusinessMirror, p. A3.