7 Batangas towns under state of calamity

Seven towns in Batangas are now under a state of calamity following a massive fish kill that has wiped out over 900 metric tons of fish so far, GMA News’ “24 Oras" reported Wednesday. The towns include Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Alitagtag, Cuenca, and Sta. Teresita. The Batangas provincial government will allot P10 million to residents affected by the fish kill, according to another report on GMA News’ “Saksi." Local authorities are stepping up operations to remove dead fish from Taal Lake, but the decomposing state of the fish is hampering most of these efforts, according to the “24 Oras" report. “Sobra talaga ang baho," said fish pen caretaker Jerry Mante, referring to the odor emanating from the fish cages filled with decomposing fish. “Nagsisigarilyo na lang ako para mawala-wala ang baho ng patay, para hindi papasok sa sikmura," said Boy Natividad, another fish pen caretaker.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV The provincial government has appealed to fish pen owners to help in the clean-up operations, added the “24 Oras" report. Meanwhile, the disaster has triggered a drop in fish prices, according to the report. In Talisay, Batangas, bangus or milkfish is now sold at P80 per kilogram from P100. Tilapia, meanwhile, is sold at P70-P80 per kilogram from P100. In another report, “24 Oras" said the fish kill-stricken town of Anda, Pangasinan, has also been placed under a state of calamity.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Local authorities have also doubled their efforts to crack down on traders who sell “double-dead" fish, the report added. — Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News