NEARLY 9,000 liters of oily water mixture have been recovered by the Philippine Coast Guard in its offshore clean-up of the oil spill caused by the February 28 sinking of MT Princess Empress off Oriental Mindoro.
In a statement, the PCG said 115 sacks of oil-contaminated materials were also collected during its offshore oil spill response operations from March 1 to March 26.
Last Sunday, the PCG said 137 sacks of oil-contaminated materials were also collected during its coastal cleanup.
This brought to 3,514.5 sacks and 22 drums of waste collected in 13 affected barangays in the towns of Naujan, Bulalacao and Pola from March 1 to 26, the PCG said.
Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz said the amount of oil reaching the shoreline of Pola has decreased.
“It’s unlike before when you can see large tarballs in our shores. Right now, they’re already small. Maybe they are being dispersed by the Coast Guard offshore,” said Cruz.
Cruz added the coastal cleanup will take a while, especially in mangrove areas.
She said the coastlines of five barangays are still affected by the oil spill, adding cleanup works are still ongoing.
She said the coastlines of six other barangays that have been cleared of oil are under observation.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is working on extending the cash for work program to 45 days from the current 15 days to help sustain the livelihood of those affected by the oil spill.
The DSWD said it is now finalizing the budgetary requirements for the extension.
The initial fund for the CFW was sourced from the Department’s Quick Response Fund.
The DSWD said 19,895 people from Oriental Mindoro and Antique, mostly fishermen, who were affected by the oil spill have availed of the program.
The department has already released over P3.1 million for the wages of the beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries, who were identified by their local government units (LGUs), were tasked to collect locally available materials for making improvised oil spill boom and absorbent; establish barangay or backyard gardens; engage in mangrove rehabilitation; conduct community clean-up drives; and assist in the loading and unloading of family food packs (FFPs).
The beneficiaries were paid amounts equivalent to the daily regional minimum wage in their region and were also provided basic necessities such as food, and water, among others.
Those from Oriental Mindoro received P355 per day while those from Antique got P450 per day.
The DSWD said it will also conduct cash-for-work activities in Batangas as soon as the funds for its implementation is available.
The CFW in Batangas aims to hire 2,000 people who will initially work for 15 days.
The program aims to help mitigate the effects of the oil spill that has reached Batangas City, and the towns of Mabini, Bauan, Lobo, San Luis, San Pascual, and Tingloy, and is now also threatening the Verde Island Passage. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
