Capitol gives P5M, DSWD sends aid to oil spill victims
More help is on the way for 5,000 families in Mactan where an oil spill has damaged coastal and marine resources in Cordova town.
The Provincial Board, in a special session yesterday, authorized Gov. Hilario Davide III to release P5 million from its calamity fund.
The Capitol declared a province-wide state of calamity last week to address the effects of the oil spill from the sunken MV St. Thomas Aquinas.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said his town couldn’t affort relief operations with its “scarce resources” after allocating P1.5 million from its own calamity fund.
The Capitol aid will be used for the “rehabilitation of the damaged coastal marine habitat in the town such as mangroves, sea grasses, sand and corals, among others” according to the PB resolution.
Food-for-work
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will employ more than 2,700 members of families affected by the oil spill.
Shalaine Lucero, head of protective services, said workers would be paid P250 a day for helping clear the waste and debris. The program will last for ten days.
DSWD also distributed P1 million worth of food packs to the families.
Health impact
Some residents have helped in the beach cleanup without protective gear or tools, posing a health risk.
The Department of Health (DOH) sent medical teams to check on the situation and offer free medication.
Dr. Expedito Medalla, head of Regional Epidemology and Surveillance Unit -7, said they recorded seven cases of respiratory infection and two complaints for eye itchiness.
“We already conducted an education drive to remind them to be careful,” he said.
Medalla said that most of those who were infected during the cleanup did not have proper tools which is “very risky for their health” because petroleum products contain hazardous chemicals and may emit harmful fumes.
Several residents wanted to help in the coastal cleanup but couldn’t do so for lack of protectie gear like gloves, boots and masks.
Exposure to the oil slick may lead to Acute Respiratory Illness (cough and fever), Acute Dermatitis (skin discoloration or itchiness) , Acute Diarrhea and Vomiting, and Acute Conjunctivitis (redness of eyes with itchiness) . posed to the oil. /with reports from Michelle Joy L. Padayhag and Christine Emily L. Pantaleon
