Marcos orders DENR to speed up oil spill cleanup

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to speed up the oil spill clean-up in the affected areas in Oriental Mindoro.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos issued the directive to the DENR during a meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday.

The PCO said that in response to the directive, the DENR is looking into the possibility of tapping the participants of this year’s Balikatan exercises for the cleanup drives along the shores affected by the oil spill caused by the Feb. 28 sinking of the MT Princess Empress in the waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province.

DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the agency would work together with the United States (US) Embassy to explore the possibility of deploying the participants of the joint military drills as part of efforts for clean up, mitigation, and remediation to reduce the impact of the oil spill incident.

The Balikatan is the annual Philippine-led bilateral exercise of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces.

Loyzaga said Japan and South Korea have also expressed their willingness to help contain the oil spill.

He added that the DENR is also coordinating with the provincial local government units (LGUs), the vessel owner, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as potential additional sources of funds for the cash-for-work program as assistance to the affected residents.

For his part, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said areas to be given the temporary means of livelihood include the towns of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola and Roxas in Oriental Mindoro; Caluya in Antique; and Agutaya in Palawan.

Loyzaga noted that around P60 million had been set aside for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) cash-for-work program called Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

He said the vessel owner’s insurance provider has offered to bring in a ship from China to plug the leak in the vessel.

According to the PCO, the DENR chief cited the latest reports indicating that the oil spill had reached the Cuyo Island group.

Meanwhile, the oil spill in Antique and Semirara Island continues to spread.

Loyzaga said the oil discharge rate from the sunken vessel is estimated to be between 35,000 to 50,000 liters a day.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) models, Naujan and Pola in Oriental Mindoro would be the hardest hit.

READ: Marcos hopes cleanup of Mindoro oil spill will not take more than 4 months

je/abc