The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has recorded P583 million worth of damages in Bohol’s fishery sector due to Typhoon “Odette.”

BFAR Bohol officer-in-charge Candido Sumijon said the storm devastated around “95 percent” of fish cages and ponds and other fishery facilities across the province.

It also affected the livelihood of around 20,000 out of 60,000 registered fisherfolks and fishing boat owners in the province.

According to Sumijon, storm-hit motorized and paddle boats accounted for most of the fishery damages recorded in the province at P400 million.

Sumijon said they have already submitted a damage assessment report to their head office and are waiting for additional fund allocation.

So far, the BFAR only has P11 million as part of its budget for 2022 to build fiberglass fishing boats for the affected fisherfolks.

Sumijon admitted that this was far from enough to assist all those affected by the storm.

“Dili na kaigo. Gamay ra jud naa kaajo mao maayo kung naay gikan sa national na special fund,” said Sumijon.

Sumijon added the BFAR also recorded P140 million worth of damages to their facilities across the province.

“Galungkob nana ni sa mga stocks nato, sa mga fish cage ug breeders nato sa bangus, mga building and structures nato,” said Sumijon.

Among those damaged were the Brakish Water Fish Farm and Multispecies Hatchery in Ubay, Multispecies Nursery and Central Bangus Hatchery in Calape, and the Clarin Freshwater Fish Farm in Clarin.

Meanwhile, other private fish hatcheries and ponds in Bohol incurred P43 million worth of damages.

Earlier, the Provincial Agriculturist Office reported that Typhoon Odette left an estimated P3.1 billion worth of damages in the entire agriculture sector of Bohol.

Assistant provincial agriculturist Larry Pamugas said the partial damage estimate covered all agricultural produce, coconut farms, fisheries and equipment.

He added that the figure was still expected to rise as reports from various towns were still incomplete.(AD)