3 days ago
Taal Lake search for missing sabungeros resumes; local fishers take hit
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has resumed its search for the missing sabungeros in Taal Lake after operations were suspended due to inclement weather.
According to Vonne Aquino's '24 Oras' report, PCG technical divers continued with the operations early Sunday but were forced to halt due to sudden downpour. They used a remotely-operating vehicle and an aerial drone to further inspect the search area but yielded no suspicious objects.
The local government of Agoncillo, Batangas said the discovery of human remains in the lake—after whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan pointed to it as the site where the missing sabungeros' bodies were dumped—is affecting the small-scale fisherfolk in the municipality, with public fear driving down demand for tawilis.
'Halos 40% ang binaba ng harvest ng tawilis. Kung konti ang demand, konti rin ang magiging supply,' said Mayor Cinderella Reyes.
(The harvest went down by almost 40%. If there is less supply, then there is less demand.)
In the town of Talisay, Batangas, fewer fish vendors are selling tawilis, increasing the prices from P80 per kilo to P100 per kilo. Municipal administrator Alfredo Anciato said they are mulling declaring a state of calamity to extend assistance to the affected fishers.
'Sa ngayon, kinukuha namin ang lahat ng data through our municipal agriculture office. Tinatanong namin ang stakeholders kung ano ang epekto sa aming maliliit na mangingisda,' Anciato added.
(We are now gathering all data through our municipal agriculture office. We are also asking our stakeholders of the effect to the fisherfolks.)
Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, for her part, took to social media to allay fears and to show the public it is safe to consume tawilis.
'Tawilis. Okay. Nothing to worry. With all these issues about our Taal, nothing to worry. Ang Tawilis ay non-carnivorous. Di kumakain ng laman, usually halaman ang kinakain nito,' said Santos.
(Nothing to worry. With all these issues about our Taal, nothing to worry. Tawilis are non-carnivorous and they eat plants.)
Meanwhile, the Agoncillo municipal government said it is also eyeing the declaration of a state of calamity to repair roads affected by the recent typhoons. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News
