House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III personally visited fisherfolk in the municipality of Ramon, Isabela following the fish kill incident that affected several communities on July 6, assuring them of immediate assistance while working to mobilize a coordinated response from the national government.
Accompanied by Isabela Vice Governor Kiko Dy, the Speaker met with affected fishermen to assess the situation firsthand, listen to their concerns, and receive updates from local officials.
“Kami po ay makikinig sa mga report para lalo pong kami rin ay makapagbigay ng update sa national.”
“Ngayon kami po ay makikinig sa mga report para lalo pong kami rin ay makapagbigay ng update sa national para sa ganoon kung ano pa po ang dapat naming gawin para mabigyan natin ng tamang solusyon at tamang pagtulong sa ating mga naapektuhang kababayan dito sa ating lalawigan ng Isabela,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker explained the information gathered on the ground would help guide the national government’s response and ensure that assistance reaches affected communities as quickly as possible.
He also disclosed that he had already reported the situation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Agriculture shortly before arriving in Ramon.
“Titingnan po natin kung ano pong pinaka-agaran at mabilis na paraan para makatulong tayo sa ating mga naapektuhang kababayan dito sa ating lalawigan ng Isabela,” Dy said.
He acknowledged the heavy toll of the fish kill on the livelihood of local fishermen, noting that the crisis has been compounded by the severe drought that has also affected agriculture in the province.
“Napakalaki ng epekto na ito sa inyo pong industriya, lalong-lalo na sa nakita po namin sa lala ng tagtuyot.”
“Alam natin napakalaki ng epekto na ito sa inyo pong industriya, lalong-lalo na sa nakita po namin sa lala ng tagtuyot,” the Speaker said.
“Yung drought po, apektado pati po ‘yung naghahangad o nagpa-planong magtanim nitong mga susunod na mga araw o susunod na linggo,” he added.
Dy assured affected families that assistance would be extended while the House continues coordinating with concerned government agencies to provide immediate relief and identify long-term solutions to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The fish kill in Magat Dam has already caused an estimated P120 million in losses, including more than P20 million in Ramon, Isabela alone. Fish mortality in the reservoir was first observed on June 23.
According to fisheries authorities, prolonged drought and extreme heat caused water levels in Magat Dam to drop, reducing dissolved oxygen in the water to levels that can no longer sustain large numbers of fish in cages.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent and cause of the incident while implementing measures to assist affected communities.
