MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk affected by the Bataan oil spill can now resume their livelihoods, President Marcos said Wednesday.
This was the chief executive’s declaration during the aid distribution for the Bataan oil spill that affected residents in Cavite.
“Nasabihan lang ako ni ating Secretary, Sec. Kiko Laurel ng DA (Department of Agriculture) na mula ngayon ay maaari nang mangisda. Wala ng oil spill. Puwede nang ituloy ang inyong hanapbuhay,” Marcos said.
The government has distributed P363,050,000 in financial assistance and standby funds to over 33,000 fisherfolk and their families affected by the oil spill in Cavite.
“Masaya akong ibalita na matagumpay na nating napigilan ang pagtagas ng langis mula sa mga barkong ito, partikular yung Terranova, nang hindi na ito makapinsala sa ating kalikasan,” he said.
Aside from the compensation, the president said that the government will make the culprits accountable for the oil spill
The MTKR Terranova sank off the coast of Lamao Point in Limay Bataan on July 25 after it encountered adverse weather conditions en route to Iloilo.
“Sa ngayon, iniimbestigahan na natin ang paglubog ng mga barko upang makakalap tayo ng sapat na impormasyon [at] mapanagot ang nagkasala ayon sa batas,”
The tanker was carrying a total of 1.4 million industrial fuel oil when it sank and killed one crew onboard.
Authorities are still siphoning the oil in the sunken tanker.
The latest report from the Philippine Coast Guard said that Harbor Star, the contracted salvor, for the MTKR Terranova, has already collected 574,067 liters of oil as of Wednesday.
Harbor Star likewise said that the rate of oily waste flow during the 27 August 2024 operation was 13,574 liters per hour.
The salvage operations remain ongoing despite heavy rainfall, the PCG said.
Aside from the Terranova tanker, the MTKR Jason Bradley and MV Mirola 1 also faced trouble in the waters of Bataan in July.
