President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to quicken the oil spill clean-up in the waters of Oriental Mindoro.
"Nagbigay si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ng direktiba sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na magpadala ng agarang tulong sa clean-up ng oil spill na dulot ng paglubog ng motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress sa Oriental Mindoro," the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said.
The DENR plans to seek help from the participants of Balikatan exercises — the annual Philippine-led bilateral exercise of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces.
DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said that they will coordinate with the United States (US) Embassy for 'joint military drills, as part of efforts for clean up, mitigation, and remediation to reduce the impact of the oil spill incident'.
The provincial local government units (LGUs), the vessel owner, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were expected to provide additional sources of funds for the cash-for-work program as assistance to the affected residents.
Among the areas to receive temporary means of livelihood include the towns of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, and Roxas in Oriental Mindoro; Caluya in Antique and Agutaya in Palawan.
Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea want to extend help to contain the oil spill.
The oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress which carries 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil is continuing to spread, Loyzaga added.
