BFAR: 13,000 fisherfolk families affected by Mindoro oil spill
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 — The number of fisherfolk families affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro has reached 13,000, according to the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (DA-BFAR) on Friday.
The agency has previously recorded 11,000 families affected in the municipalities of Naujan and Pola.
“Nalaman natin as of today, mula sa 11,000 fisherfolk families na ibinalita naming kung nakaraang draw, pumalo na ito sa 13,000 affected fisherfolk families. So ang tugon dito ng DA-BFAR, magpatupad ng livelihood assistance para sa mga apektadong mangingisda,” said DA-BFAR Chief Info Officer Nazario Briguera.
(We found out that from the 11,000 fisherfolk families that we have reported in the past few days, it has affected 13,000 fisherfolk families. So the response of the DA-BFAR is to enact livelihood assistance for affected fisherfolks.)
According to Briguera, P4.1 million has been disbursed to the affected communities through livelihood assistance, with an additional P15 million on its way.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has also been aiding the community. The agency’s field office has already distributed 34,500 food packs to Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Government Office.
On Friday, the DSWD distributed P5,000 cash aid to 2,100 beneficiaries in Agutaya, Palawan.
The oil spill had already reached the shores of Palawan. The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the oil’s presence in Taytay town, 159 nautical miles or 295 kilometers from Naujan.
