This photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows the oil spill that followed the sinking of MT Princess Empress in the waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province early Tuesday morning, February 28, 2023. PCG photo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said his administration is ready to give aid to families and individuals affected by the oil spill from the sunken ship MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro.
“The government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, is prepared to provide various forms of assistance to families and individuals affected by the oil spill caused by the submerged MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro,” he said in a Twitter post.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is also working with the International Maritime Organization and the Department of the Interior and Local Government and is also ready to support the local government and determine their specific needs, Marcos said.
He then thanked private firms such as Petron and Shell, who have offered their help by lending the government equipment needed to mitigate the oil spill’s impact.
The government, through the @dswdserves, is prepared to provide various forms of assistance to families and individuals affected by the oil spill caused by the submerged MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) March 3, 2023
A spillage of diesel fuel ensued after the MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of oil, sank in Oriental Mindoro on Tuesday.
READ: Oil spill ensues after vessel carrying 800,000 liters of oil sinks in Oriental Mindoro
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, some protected marine areas have already been affected by the spill.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned that the oil spill might impact up to 21 locally managed marine protected areas.
It said potential risk areas included seagrass beds, mangroves, and dispersion pathways for spawned fish larvae.
READ: PCG: Mindoro oil spill affects some protected marine areas