BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and VICTOR REYES
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said he wants the oil spill clean-up in Oriental Mindoro to be completed in about four months and directed different government agencies to ensure continued assistance to the affected communities, including the provision of cash-for-work program.
In a chance interview, the President said the clean-up during the Guimaras oil spill in 2006 took about four months and wants the Mindoro oil spill done faster since it has already started.
“The clean-up for the Guimaras oil spill was four months. Hopefully, by this time since the oil spill has already been lessened, we can speed it up. It does not have to be next month, but if not next month, it should not reach four months,” he said.
Seventy-seven coastal barangays of nine Oriental Mindoro towns affected by the massive oil spill caused by the sinking of an oil tanker off Naujan town last February 28 have been placed under a state of calamity.
The MT Princess Empress was on its way to Iloilo from Bataan last February 28 when it encountered engine trouble due to overheating and sank, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The vessel was transporting about 800,000 liters of industrial oil fuel and 10,000 liters of operational oil when it figured in the mishap.
The sinking of the tanker resulted in the spillage of thick industrial oil, posing health hazards to residents and disrupting the livelihood of fishermen as well as owners of resorts and other business establishments.
The President said he also instructed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department Social welfare and Development (DSWD) to oversee the clean-up and assist the fishermen who are unable to fish due to the oil spill.
He said fishermen can do the cash-for-work program through the cleanup while they are waiting for the time when they can fish again.
Marcos said the government has doubled its effort in controlling the oil spill from further spreading.
He said that because the MT Princess Empress has been found, it would be easier to find the source of the leak and take appropriate action.
SEVERELY AFFECTED
The mayor of Pola, Oriental Mindoro, Jennifer Cruz, said the oil spill clean-up may take six months to one year, noting the town was severely affected because the MT Princess Empress was located off the area.
“This may take time. According to experts who came here yesterday, it may take six (months) to one year to clear the oil spill. That’s just their estimate but they don’t really know how long this will take,” said Cruz.
“The cleanup at the shoreline alone may take six months to one year… There’s so much oil spilt here (in Pola), “ Cruz said, adding that 11 coastal barangays of the town were affected by the oil spill, causing illness to at least 23 residents as of last Monday.
She said residents living near the shoreline have been advised to evacuate. Cruz could not immediately say how many residents have so far evacuated.
Cruz appealed for help for fishermen and their families, noting they have been told not to venture into the sea.
“Fisherfolks need help, they have no other source of livelihood,” she said. “We’re severely affected by the oil spill; the vessel was located in the town of Pola.”
The oil spill has affected eight other towns in Oriental Mindoro and Caluya town in Antique.
Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco and Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores said they are preparing for the possibility of the oil spill reaching their provinces.
As of yesterday, Velasco said there were no indications the oil spill has reached Marinduque, which he said is just 47 nautical miles away from Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
“So far, we have not seen manifestations of oil spill (in Marinduque). There are no reports of the oil going towards us but we are in close coordination (with authorities),” said Velasco.
Miraflores said they have also made preparations to contain possible oil spill reaching in the province, which is near Antique.
“We are prepared in the province, especially in Boracay, because Boracay is near the location of the oil spill (in Antique),” said Miraflores.
“We are preparing, especially the LGU (local government unit) Malay (where Boracay Island is located),” he added.
Miraflores said the province is closely coordinating with the PCG, which has provided them with oil spill booms for deployment in the event the oil spill reaches Aklan.
EMERGENCY LOAN
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) yesterday announced that it has earmarked P315 million in emergency loans for members and pensioners affected by the oil spill.
“The oil spill has affected more than half of Oriental Mindoro. With our emergency loan program, we hope to alleviate the plight of nearly 13,000 GSIS members who are working or residing in the affected areas and pensioners who reside there.” GSIS President and General manager Wick Veloso said in a statement.
Veloso said the GSIS has allocated a total budget of P6.2 billion for its emergency loan program for the year.
Upon receipt of the required documents from the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro, GSIS said it will open the emergency loan to 11,024 active members and 1,896 old-age and disability pensioners.
“We are closely monitoring the situation for developments. Should the Oriental Mindoro oil spill further spread and affect other towns and provinces, we assure members and pensioners in said areas that GSIS is ready to open the emergency loan program once a state of calamity declaration has been done and required documents have been submitted to GSIS,” Veloso said.
Qualified to apply for loans are members in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have at least three months of paid premiums within the last six months prior to application; have no pending administrative or criminal case; have no due and demandable loan; and have a net take-home pay of not lower than P5,000 after all required monthly obligations have been deducted.
Old-age and disability pensioners are also qualified to apply if their resulting net monthly take-home pension after loan availment is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.
Members with emergency loan balance may borrow up to P40,000 to pay off their previous emergency loan balance and still receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Pensioners and those without existing emergency loan may apply for a P20,000 loan.
The loan is payable in three years or 36 equal monthly installments at an interest rate of six percent per annum. — With Angela Celis
