LOCAL EFFORT Villagers in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, collect the oil sludge from sunken MT Princess Empress using booms made of coconut husks, fish nets and jute sacks to protect their coastal resources. (Photo taken on April 1, 2023 by KALIKASAN PEOPLE’S NETWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.)
MANILA, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO) of Region 4-B or Mimaropa donated over P1 million in cash to the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro.
The fund is meant to help the communities affected by the oil spill.
PRO 4-B on Monday said the donation came from proceeds from its activity called Color Fun Run (or Run for the Affected Families of Oil Spill Incident).
The event was a region-wide police initiative by various local government units and agencies.
The total amount collected from the event was P1,067,585.
The money was turned over to the provincial government in a ceremony held at the Capitol Complex, Barangay Camilmil, Calapan City, on May 29, 2023.
“Through our collective efforts, we were able to provide much-needed financial assistance to our fellow citizens in Oriental Mindoro who were greatly affected by the oil spill. We remain committed to serving our communities and providing aid in times of need,” PRO4B director Brigadier General Joel Doria said in a statement.
On May 3, 2023, the police unit donated over P1,200,000 to the province from voluntary contributions of its personnel.
On February 28, 2023, oil tanker MT Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank in the waters of Pola.
A month later, on March 30, 2023, National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said the lives of 172,928 people were already affected by the oil spill.
NDRRMC also said Pola sustained the most damage.
The incident affected 11 barangays in the municipality.
This was equivalent to 4,839 families or 24,195 individuals.
The oil spill also damaged seven marine protected areas.
NDRRMC added environmental destruction to Oriental Mindoro because the oil spill had reached over P7 billion while damage to the fishing industry was estimated at P3.8 billion.
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Mimaropa cops donate P1.2-M cash to families affected by Oriental Mindoro oil spill