President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will continue to lead the government's ongoing effort to contain the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, dismissing any reorganization efforts.
There is no need for a reorganization in government coordination for the oil spill response, according to Marcos, who noted that the PCG is spearheading the cleanup because it has the assets and is also in charge of coordinating incoming foreign aid.
According to Marcos, the PCG is coordinating with Japanese experts who brought in special equipment such as the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and oil spill boom, as well as US aid and personnel.
He stated that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for assessing the damage, identifying areas that need to be cleaned up, and monitoring the affected areas.
In terms of relief assistance provided to affected communities whose livelihoods have been harmed by the oil spill, Marcos stated that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is in charge.
The national government, through the DSWD, has also implemented a cash-for-work program, employing local residents to conduct extensive cleanup efforts in several provinces affected by the spill.
The DSWD is currently implementing a 45-day cash-for-work program involving 7,198 families (including those living off-sites), which began on March 6 and will run through May of this year. Beneficiaries could also receive an emergency cash transfer (ECT) and family food packs (FFPs), according to the statement.
To date, the national task force for oil spill management in Mimaropa and Western Visayas has reported that the national government, local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners have provided a total of PHP28.3 million in humanitarian assistance to affected families.
Similarly, the Department of Labor and Employment has launched the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program in three Caluya municipalities: Sibolo (152), Semirara (246), and Tinogboc (66), with a 30-day work program.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides displaced workers, underemployed workers, and seasonal workers with emergency employment for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.
Meanwhile, the oil spill had affected over 150,000 people, or 32,000 families, in Mimaropa and Western Visayas as of Monday.
On February 28, the MT Princess Empress sank near Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil.
Previously, Marcos stated that the government intends to complete the oil spill cleanup in less than four months.
