President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sits with government officials to discuss the Oriental Mindoro oil spill on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Photo from Bongbong Marcos’ Instagram)
MANILA, Philippines — As the Oriental Mindoro oil spill continues to disrupt the livelihood of fisherfolk, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to discuss with local government unit (LGU) leaders on allowing affected fisherfolk to fish in the waters.
The alternative fishing sites included are Mindoro Strait in Oriental Mindoro, Cuyo Pass in Batangas, Tablas Strait in Romblon and Tayabas Bay in Quezon.
“The President instructed DILG Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. to schedule a dialogue with the local officials of the four fishing sites within the Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions that could be tapped by the affected fishermen,” said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement.
The President also said that the immediate issues have been attended to, such as the detainment of the oil spill leakage from the sunken vessel.
“Pabawas na nang pabawas ‘yung lumalabas na langis. At pag nagawa na natin na naisara na natin lahat nung nag-leak doon sa barko at nahigop na natin ‘yung natira na langis doon sa loob. Tapos na ‘yung operation doon sa pag-control ng oil spill,” said Marcos in an interview with media.
(The spilling of oil continues to reduce. Once we have sealed off the leaks in the boat and siphoned off the oil from the ship, that is when the operation to control the oil spill will end.)
Marcos on Saturday visited Oriental Mindoro to assess the situation, and said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have been working to monitor the situation.
“DENR will continue to monitor the situation. BFAR will continue to monitor the situation. As soon as it is clear, we can go back to normal,” the President said in a mix of English and Filipino.
A fishing ban has been ongoing since traces of oil chemicals were found in the BFAR’s fish samples.
According to local fisherfolk, they lose around P19 million a day due to the oil spill caused by the MT Princess Empress.