A month after oil spill in Mindoro, fishers press for ‘quick, unconditional’ aid

FILE PHOTO: Together with an oil spill boom and skimmer, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was around the suspected area of the sunken oil tanker MT Princess Empress at the northeast of Balingawan Port, Lucta Port, and Buloc Bay in Oriental Mindoro on March 14, 2023. | PHOTO: Malayan Towage and Salvage Corporation via Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — A fishers’ group has renewed its call for “quick and unconditional indemnity” for coastal residents and fisherfolk affected by the massive oil spill that started off the coast of Oriental Mindoro exactly a month ago.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Tuesday said the owner of MT Princess Empress – the tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel that sank in waters near Naujan town on February 28 – should own up to their fault and take accountability for the hampered livelihood of at least 18,000 fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro and parts of Antique and Palawan.

“Hindi na kaya ng mga mangingisda ang ganitong kakumplikadong proseso dahil habang tumatagal at lumalawak ang saklaw ng oil spill, humahaba ang panahong gutom ang kanilang mga pamilya,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

(Fishers can no longer cope with such a complicated compensation process because as the oil spill continues to spread and affect more areas, their families are also facing prolonged periods of hunger.)

Hicap renewed their plea for the immediate and direct distribution of aid to affected coastal communities.

“Bukod sa kumpensasyon, dapat obligahin ang may-ari ng lumubog na barko na gastusan ang matagalang rehabilitasyon para ibalik ang dating sigla ng mga napinsalang pangisdaan, bakawanan, bahura, at baybayin,” he added.

(Aside from the compensation, the owner of the sunken vessel should also foot the bill for the long-term rehabilitation of the affected fisheries, mangroves, reefs, and coasts to restore their previous vitality.)

Pamalakaya earlier sounded the alarm over a possible widespread fish kill that may burden the domestic fish supply following the major oil spill.

READ: Fish shortage feared amid Oriental Mindoro oil spill

But Agriculture Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez said the oil spill will not affect the country’s supply of fish, citing the open fishing season.

READ: No nationwide fish shortage due to Oriental Mindoro oil spill

The oil leak has since hit Palawan and Verde Island Passage and has plunged several towns into a state of calamity. — With reports from Denver Godezano, trainee

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