QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through the different concerned government agencies continues to implement programs to assist the population affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro that already reached other provinces in the regions of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and Western Visayas.
As of Monday, the national government, local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners have already provided a total of P28.3 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the affected families
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD is currently implementing a 45-day cash-for-work program involving 7,198 families (including off-site). The beneficiaries could also avail of Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) and family food packs (FFPs).
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), on the other hand, has started the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program in the three areas of Caluya: Sibolo, 152; Semirara, 246 and Tinogboc, 66, through a 30-day work program.
The government has also identified 20 beneficiaries each from 10 municipalities for a total of 200 beneficiaries in the Province of Antique as requested by Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) committed to providing alternative livelihood assistance to affected fisherfolks with an initial allotment of P4 million. A post-harvest training and equipment particularly 10 units of smokehouses for fish processing will be provided.
The Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Expert Team is also helping the Philippine Coast Guard in the ongoing oil spill response operations. The Japanese Government will also provide equipment, such as oil blotters, oil snares, and oil-proof working gloves, to aid the massive clean-up efforts in the affected coastal barangays.
Meanwhile, various government agencies are coordinating with the International Tankers Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPH) on the conduct of a massive clean-up drive, and identification of the debris staging area, as well as the dumpsite.
The oil spill incident has already affected 32,661 families in MIMAROPA and Western Visayas and affected around 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 ha of mangroves, and 6,000 ha of seagrass according to the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. (KSAA – PIA CPSD)
