Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto took to social media to ease public fears about consuming fish from Taal Lake, following reports linking the area to the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts.
In a video, the governor was seen eating tawilis—an endangered freshwater sardine endemic to the lake—as a show of confidence. “Nothing to worry with all these issues about our Taal,” she said. Santos-Recto emphasized that the lake’s tilapia and bangus are raised in fish pens and are safe to eat. She also clarified that tawilis is a non-carnivorous species that feeds on plants.
The reassurance comes amid a sharp downturn in the fishing industry. Vendors and local officials have reported a major decline in both sales and prices. In Agoncillo, Mayor Cindy Reyes said daily fish sales have been cut by more than half, with the price of tawilis dropping from ₱200 to around ₱80–₱100 per kilo.
“People are scared,” said Cavite-based vendor Melco Ventura, who stopped selling tawilis after struggling with unsold stock. “Even tilapia wasn’t selling for a week,” he added, pointing to panic caused by viral posts online.
To address the economic fallout, the Agoncillo government is drafting livelihood proposals for about 300 affected small-scale fishers and vendors. Mayor Reyes confirmed that the provincial government has pledged aid and is awaiting project proposals.
Meanwhile, the municipalities of Talisay and Laurel are both considering declaring a state of calamity to unlock additional support for their communities. Laurel alone has recorded more than 500 affected fishermen.
Talisay’s municipal administrator Alfredo Anciado said they are still gathering data: “If the impact proves to be significant, that’s when we will declare a state of calamity.”
