By David Vera
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) left the fishery sector in Eastern Visayas with PHP 16 million in damages, affecting around 2, 000 small-scale fishers, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported Thursday. Kristine devastated various aquafarms, seaweed farms, fish cages, fishing boats, and post-harvest facilities throughout the region, with Leyte experiencing the greatest losses.
According to BFAR’s assessment, the storm impacted 55 hectares of fishponds, over 400 fish cages, and 365 hectares of seaweed farms. Additionally, 1,442 municipal fishing boats and 1, 376 fishing gears were damaged, leaving many communities without key resources for their livelihoods. Northern Samar’s Lapinig and Laoang municipalities and Eastern Samar’s Salcedo were among the hardest-hit areas, alongside BFAR facilities in Leyte and Samar, which suffered PHP1.7 million in damages.
This disaster highlights the ongoing vulnerability of coastal regions in the Philippines, which are frequently battered by powerful storms, exacerbated by climate change. BFAR is currently consolidating damage data to secure government funding for recovery, prioritizing assistance to fisherfolk and rehabilitation of essential infrastructure.
Historical data underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of storms in the Philippines, emphasizing the urgent need for improved resilience and preparedness in coastal regions.