Fight continues for this Yolanda survivor in Iloilo

The massive oil spill triggered by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” four years ago forced the evacuation of thousands of residents due to toxic fumes and affected the livelihood of residents mostly dependent on fishing (File photo by Nestor P. Burgos Jr./INQUIRER VISAYAS)

ILOILO CITY—While she was celebrating for surviving the Supertyphoon “Yolanda” four years ago, Dionisia Buenaflor is still marching the streets of Estancia town in Iloilo to cry out for justice and compensation.

“It’s been four years. But we are still seeking compensation and adequate rehabilitation,” Buenaflor told the INQUIRER.

She joined about 300 survivors of the tragedy in a protest rally on Wednesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the disaster. The protest was set to peak with the lighting of candles and offering of flowers around 6 p.m. at the coastline of Botongon village.

Buenaflor is among the more than 3,000 complainants of two class suits against government agencies including the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) and the Kuan Yu Global Technologies Inc. (KYGTI), a private contractor, in relation to massive oil spill that hit the coastal villages during the supertyphoon.

READ: Oil spill victims sue gov’t agencies

The complainants assisted by lawyers belonging to the National Union of People’s Lawyers in Panay are demanding at least P225 million in damages and compensation for the loss of their livelihood.

Strong winds and huge waves brought by the supertyphoon on Nov. 8, 2013 detached the Napocor-operated Power Barge 103 from its moorings 200 meters from the shoreline and slammed into the coastline, spilling at least 900,000 liters of bunker fuel.

The 32-megawatt barge, which was then under PSALM management but waiting to be privatized, was dragged 200 meters away from the coastline and slammed against the rocky shores of Botongon.

Two persons died and more than 2,000 residents were evacuated and stayed for a month in a temporary shelter due to the high level of air toxicity in the area.

The survivors sued the government agencies for allegedly failing to undertake measures that could have prevented the oil spill. The KYGTI, which was contracted for the cleanup, was also sued for the delay in the cleanup operations and alleged irregularities.

PSALM had released at least P6.7 million as compensation to affected residents. The compensation ranged from P3,000 to P20,000 per family, as payment for damages and dislocation.

But Buenaflor said the compensation was not enough and was “unfairly” distributed.

“Many of those affected did not receive anything. The amount is also not enough to cover the losses in our livelihood,” she said.

She said their income was severely affected during the oil spill. Her husband Rodolfo who drives a tricycle was unable to transport fish due to the contaminated waters.

In their class suit pending before the Barotac Viejo, Iloilo Regional Trial Court, the survivors accused the agencies of negligence for failing to undertake measures that could have prevented the oil spill and for “inefficient” clean-up operations. They also accused KYGTI for gross negligence because of “inefficient” cleanup operations and “lack of capability.” /jpv