President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally handed over financial assistance to over 33,000 fisherfolks and families affected by the Bataan oil spill in Cavite on Wednesday, August 28.
The Presidential financial assistance was extended to thousands of affected fishermen and families by the spill. A cheque amounting to Php161,510 was handed to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla. From that, Php5,000 pesos will be distributed to each affected individual in the province.
President Marcos Jr. hopes that through the given assistance, fisherfolks can recover from the impacts of the spill.
Select fishermen from Rosario, Noveleta, Kawit, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate received the monetary assistance.
“Sa ngayon, iniimbistigahan na natin ang paglubog ng mga barko upang makakalap tayo ng sapat na impormasyon na mapanagot ang mga nag sala ayon sa batas. Titiyakin din natin na makatatanggap ng sapat na kompensasyon ang mga naapektuhang mamamayan,” the President remarked.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also extended their help by providing fisherfolks with post-harvest equipment, training, and financial assistance. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also provided Php69.47 million in various forms of assistance, including Php3 million in standby funds and Php102.78 million worth of non-food items.
Other agencies and departments who have extended their help are; the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Asahan po ninyo na ang pamahalaan ay gumagawa ng mga hakbang upang [maibsan] ang pinsalang naidulot ng mga insidenteng kagaya nito. Hangad namin na ang Presidential Assistance na aming handog sa bawat apektadong mangingisda ay makakatulong sa inyong pagbangon at magbibigay ng panibagong pag-asa,” Marcos Jr. said.
He assured the public of the government’s continuous investigation of the oil spill incident in Limay, Bataan.
The oil spill began when the MTKR Terranova capsized in Limay, Bataan. Since its occurrence, two more vessels have sunk into the waters of Bataan.
