Pola, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Jennifer Cruz has turned down the aid offered by the owner of sunken oil tanker MT Princess Empress after it affected marine life and residents in the area.
Vice president of RDC Reield Marine Services Fritzee Tee said that they have initiated to help the oil spill victims. However, Cruz rejected their offer.
"We specifically asked what they need, during that time, on their data on what the people kung ano po ‘yung pinaka-kailangan nila. Ang sabi po sa akin is ayaw po nila tumanggap ng tulong mula sa amin," the vice president said.
In response, the Pola mayor has noted that when she demanded the owner's concrete plan, they did not received a response.
"Hindi na po kasi bumalik sa’kin. After that, ang tagal kong naghihintay sa kanila for nine days… Never silang nag-reply sa amin. Pinapatayan kami ng phone," Cruz said.
After addressing their issue on national television, RDC Reield Marine Services finally reached out but was declined by the mayor as the oil spill already affected many residents and areas.
"Sabi ko, ‘hindi ko tatanggapin ngayon kasi why now?’ Kasi sobrang tagal naming naghihintay sa inyo. Ang tagal naming naghihintay. Marami nang nagkasakit. Marami nang naapektuhan, walang tulong," the mayor added.
Other countries like Japan have also sent help in order to control the oil spill. More countries have also extended their support, while other nations will meet with officials to discuss the issue.
M/T Princess Empress, which carried 800,000 liters of industrial, sank on February 28 near the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro in the MIMAROPA region.
The Philippine Coast Guard said that spillage of industrial oil has affected the communities near the area, and up Caluya Island, Antique in the Western Visayas region.
