Filing of financial compensation for residents and fishermen who were victims of the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro will begin on Monday, March 27, with the necessary evidence to prove the disaster’s impact on their livelihood.
"In response to the oil spill incident, plans are also underway for local claims offices to open in the affected areas," said Insurance lawyer Valeriano del Rosario of Vera Law, the company that insured the sunken MT Princess Empress.
"On the week of 27 March 2023, the first claims offices, also known as claims caravan—it will be called claims caravan—will open in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, and will act as the collecting point for claimants to submit their completed claim form," he added.
Claim offices will be set up on Monday, Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor confirmed.
"Claims will only be assessed if sufficient information has been provided by the claimants," the lawyer said.
The proper proof is required when bringing a claim from one of the four categories, which will come from people, businesses, and local governments:
- Category one – cleanup cost and preventive measures
- Category two – economic loss of those in fisheries and mariculture
- Category three – an economic loss for those in the tourism sector and related business
- Category four – property damage
On February 28, the MT Princess Empress sank near Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil.
