REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Mindoro Oriental Oil Spill Victims Find Govt Aid Insufficient
Photo credit: Philippine Coast Guard
A report by various non-governmental and environmental organizations revealed that most of the residents in Oriental Mindoro affected by the oil spill and the fishing ban are facing widespread economic challenges, with little to no income in the past few weeks, resulting in trickle-down effects on their health and education.
Over 90% of respondents interviewed by these groups reported that they do not earn enough to meet their family's needs following the oil spill. While some aid has been provided, nearly 100% of respondents found the assistance to be insufficient. Ayuda packs, which mainly consisted of food, did not address other critical needs such as hygiene supplies for infants or money for allowances and transportation for children going to school.
The study was conducted by the Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), a coalition of scientists and environmental groups, The report, based on an independent fact-finding mission conducted by Kalikasan PNE, Brigada Kalikasan, AGHAM Advocates for Science and Technology for the People, Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines (CEC), and Serve the People Corps - Southern Tagalog (STPC), covered two municipalities and six barangays across Mindoro Oriental and involved over 400 individual respondents.
Residents reported that the impacts of the oil spill and fishing ban were worse than the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has prevented them from catching food to eat. The long-term impacts of the oil spill and fishing ban require sustained and comprehensive assistance from the national government, and the coalition called for immediate resolution of the oil spill and sufficient relief efforts.
Berto Alinea of STPC said "Civil society is doing what we can but this is not enough. We need the national government to improve and hasten its response, especially in terms of addressing the socio-economic impacts. We enjoin the Mindoreños in seeking accountability to RDC Reield Marine Services for the grave ecological and environmental impacts caused by the oil spill."
In response to the situation, Benhur Abalos, through a Facebook post, shared that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), along with other agencies, provided assistance to the affected residents. 1,000 sacks of rice (50kg) and 500 sacks (10kg) were provided by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to the residents of Oriental Mindoro.
The coalition, Kalikasan PNE, plans to continue assisting the community and advocating for immediate resolution of the oil spill and sustained relief efforts from the national government. The impacts of the oil spill have had severe consequences on the environment, livelihoods, food supply, and lives of the people of Mindoro Oriental, and urgent action is needed to address the situation.
Over 90% of respondents interviewed by these groups reported that they do not earn enough to meet their family's needs following the oil spill. While some aid has been provided, nearly 100% of respondents found the assistance to be insufficient. Ayuda packs, which mainly consisted of food, did not address other critical needs such as hygiene supplies for infants or money for allowances and transportation for children going to school.
The study was conducted by the Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), a coalition of scientists and environmental groups, The report, based on an independent fact-finding mission conducted by Kalikasan PNE, Brigada Kalikasan, AGHAM Advocates for Science and Technology for the People, Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines (CEC), and Serve the People Corps - Southern Tagalog (STPC), covered two municipalities and six barangays across Mindoro Oriental and involved over 400 individual respondents.
Residents reported that the impacts of the oil spill and fishing ban were worse than the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has prevented them from catching food to eat. The long-term impacts of the oil spill and fishing ban require sustained and comprehensive assistance from the national government, and the coalition called for immediate resolution of the oil spill and sufficient relief efforts.
Berto Alinea of STPC said "Civil society is doing what we can but this is not enough. We need the national government to improve and hasten its response, especially in terms of addressing the socio-economic impacts. We enjoin the Mindoreños in seeking accountability to RDC Reield Marine Services for the grave ecological and environmental impacts caused by the oil spill."
In response to the situation, Benhur Abalos, through a Facebook post, shared that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), along with other agencies, provided assistance to the affected residents. 1,000 sacks of rice (50kg) and 500 sacks (10kg) were provided by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to the residents of Oriental Mindoro.
The coalition, Kalikasan PNE, plans to continue assisting the community and advocating for immediate resolution of the oil spill and sustained relief efforts from the national government. The impacts of the oil spill have had severe consequences on the environment, livelihoods, food supply, and lives of the people of Mindoro Oriental, and urgent action is needed to address the situation.
Apr 11, 2023
