Oil spill: Mindoro town under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines — A town in Oriental Mindoro has been placed under a state of calamity due to the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker MT Princess Empress.

Polo Mayor Jennifer Cruz said the town is most affected by the oil spill, which caused the water and shoreline to turn black.

She said the livelihood of fisherfolk in the town has also been affected.

The Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank.

Local government officials in other towns in Oriental Mindoro are also reportedly eyeing the declaration of a state of calamity due to the oil spill.

The oil spill had reached an area 25 kilometers long, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that the coastal areas of Pola, Pinamalayan, Naujan and Bongabong towns were affected.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga led an aerial inspection yesterday to determine the extent of the oil spill.

Loyzaga said a vessel of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority would arrive today to help determine the location of the sunken tanker.

She said the DENR tapped the services of disaster forensics to minimize the impact of the oil spill.

Data from the Oriental Mindoro agriculturist office showed that there are 26 marine protected areas in 10 towns in the province. These are in Naujan, Calapan City, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao.

PCG-Oriental Mindoro deputy commander Kennedy Ma-alat said the PCG can give a timeframe on the cleanup once the location of the sunken vessel is determined.

Petron Corp. clarified that the motor tanker was not carrying products from its Bataan refinery, adding that it is not the owner of the fuel oil the tanker was carrying.

“Nonetheless, the company is one with the industry in extending assistance in the oil spill, heeding the call of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla,” Petron said in a statement.

Marcos: Affected families to receive aid

President Marcos gave assurance that various assistance will be extended to families and individuals affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

“The government, through the @dswdserves, is prepared to provide various forms of assistance to families and individuals affected by the oil spill caused by the submerged MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro,” Marcos said in a post on Twitter.

Marcos said special attention would be given to fisherfolk who will lose their source of livelihood because of the oil spill.

He said the DENR is working with the International Maritime Organization and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to provide support to concerned local government units and determine their specific needs. – Robertzon Ramirez, Richmond Mercurio, Helen Flores