Gov. Vilma Santos Takes a Bite of Tawilis to Defend Taal Lake’s Fish Industry
VILMA SANTOS – To address declining fish sales and rising public concern, Gov. Vilma Santos took a proactive approach—eating Tawilis herself to vouch for the safety of Taal Lake’s aquatic bounty.
Batangas Governor Vilma Santos recently took to social media to publicly consume Tawilis, a freshwater sardine found only in Taal Lake, in an effort to dispel public fears and restore trust in the safety of the lake’s fish products.
The governor’s move came after alarming news reports linking Taal Lake to the discovery of alleged human remains, suspected to be connected to missing cockfighting enthusiasts, known locally as sabungeros. These reports triggered public concern, leading to a sharp drop in fish sales and a significant decline in income for local fisherfolk.
Governor Santos addressed the issue directly through a Facebook reel, stating, “Tawilis, okay, nothing to worry with all these issues about our Taal. Nothing to worry.” She explained that fish like Tilapia and Bangus in Taal are farmed in fish pens and are well-cared for: “First of all, ang mga isda po natin diyan like Tilapia and Bangus, cultured ‘yan. May mga fishpens po na nandidiyan na alaga po ang mga ‘yan.”
She also emphasized the non-carnivorous diet of Tawilis, clarifying, “At ang Tawilis po natin non-carnivorous, hindi ito kumakain ng laman-laman, halaman ang kinakain nito.” This distinction reassures consumers that the fish do not feed on flesh and are therefore not affected by the alleged remains.
The economic impact on the community has been severe, with the price of Tawilis falling from P250 to just P100 per kilo due to low demand. Many local fisherfolk depend on the lake for their livelihood, and this drop in sales has caused considerable distress.
Vilma Santos further encouraged the public not to let fear overshadow the facts: “There’s an issue sa nangyayari diyan sa Taal Lake pero hindi dapat maapektuhan ang pagkain ng magagandang isda na meron diyan. Napakalawak ng Taal Lake.”
She concluded with a message of support for the local fishing community: “Ang importante ang mga isda diyan alaga po, so, nothing to worry! Enjoy Tawilis, enjoy Tilapia, and enjoy our Bangus and Maliputo. Mabuhay ang Taal Lake!”
Her gesture and statements aim to restore consumer confidence and support the livelihoods of families dependent on the lake’s rich aquatic resources.
READ ALSO: Vilma Santos Admits Being Sad Over Luis Manzano’s Election Loss