Dead fishes float near Manggahan Floodway

Some residents were shocked by the floating of various types of dead fish on the Manggahan Floodway in Pasig City.

With today’s high prices, many Filipinos have their own strategy to save on food.

Even if it rains, it doesn’t matter to some Pasig and Marikina residents who patiently fish on the Manggahan Floodway.

But some of them were shocked to see so many dead fish such as tilapia, kanduli, and carp floating near the Manggahan Bridge.

According to Arnold Laurio, Barangay Deputy of Barangay Manggahan, they usually monitor the situation on the Manggahan Floodway, but this is the first time that there are floating dead fish here in their area.

“Ngayon lang po ito. Dapat wag nila pakialaman mga yan hindi naman natin alam kung nalason ba ang mga yan maapektuhan pa mga kabarangay natin. Ipaubaya na lang natin sa city government,” said Laurio.

The Department of Environment and Natura Resources has been notified of the incident, and according to the Pasig River Coordinating Management Office, they will investigate the possible cause.

Dead fishes float near Manggahan Floodway

They will also liaise with the Laguna Lake Development Authority, especially since the floodway is connected to Laguna De Bay.

Last month, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region IV clarified that the sulfur dioxide released by Taal Volcano had nothing to do with the fish kill in Taal Lake.

“Wala po siyang link doon,” said BFAR IV Regional Director Sammy Malvas.

“Ang ammonia result ng decomposition ng organic matter. Pwede rin po yung ibang nagde-decompose na organic matter sa lawa. Halimbawa po yun mga naggo-grow na algae tapos nagda-die off pag nag-decompose po yun nakaka-consume din po sila ng oxygen,” said Malvas.

Malvas, on the other hand, made sure that the fish caught alive in the lake are still safe to eat.

He said they are ready to help those affected by the fish kill by giving fingerlings to the fish cage operators when they are ready to replenish the semen.

BFAR also continues to conduct regular monitoring and water sampling to monitor and immediately notify operators.