CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- In a statement of Governor Humerlito Bonz Dolor during a press conference held at the Provincial Capitol on Monday, June 26, he said that the oil in the tanks of sunken M/T Princess Empress was already cleared, “makalipas ang mahigit 100 araw na naranasang oil spill sa Oriental Mindoro, masaya kong ibinabalita sa inyo na sa wakas ay wala ng lamang langis ang mga tangke ng M/T Princess Empress at nasa 12 bayan na sa lalawigan ang maaari nang mangisda sa karagatan.”

Dolor also lifted the fishing ban in the towns of Naujan and Pinamalayan after they passed the water test-sampling of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Mimaropa.

Meanwhile, restrictions on aquatic pursuits within five kilometers of Pola are still being imposed since dangerous levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) persist, combined with a significant petroleum seepage problem in its shore waters-- BFAR alongside DOST aims to test the water in the next few weeks.

It can be recalled that the oil spill caused by the sinking of the M/T Princess Empress in the early morning of March 1, 2023, from Bataan to southern Oriental Mindoro raised concerns regarding human health and environmental damage.

Due to this, the decreased sea productivity affected fisherfolk adversely, leading to job loss; meanwhile, DOH did not allow fish consumption due to apparent health hazards. 

Impacts of the oil spill are also felt in the day-to-day living of the residents in coastal areas affected by the oil spill, and through the immediate action of the national government led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., help from national agencies poured in. 

Testament to this is the P568,070,016.49 worth of assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) manifesting in various programs and projects such as Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT), Cash for Work Programs (CFW), Assistance to Individuals Crisis Situations (AICS), and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Aside from these programs, the agency also finished its commitment in providing 140,000 Family Food Packs in Oriental Mindoro. 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is continuously implementing recovery and rehabilitation programs to aid the affected sectors.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Tourism (DOT) facilitated the conduct of Tulong Pangkabuhayan para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Cum Production and Skills Training. 

A total of 19,892 will benefit from the said program and will receive a total amount of P110 million worth of livelihood assistance. Each beneficiary will receive an amount of P355.00 per day during the duration of their training.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources poured all efforts in providing assistance based on its livelihood intervention for affected fisherfolk and communities in Oriental Mindoro amounting to P60,308,393.50. (GAS/JJS III/PIA MIMAROPA)