DBM assures enough funds to provide aid to oil spill-affected residents

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Tuesday guaranteed that there are enough funds for programs aimed at assisting residents affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

"I think we have enough funding, and if necessary, kung talagang kailangan, puwede naman tayo magprovide. We're just starting our fiscal year. They have enough funding for those programs and cash assistance projects," Pangandaman told reporters.

(I think we have enough funding, and if necessary, we can provide. We're just starting our fiscal year. They have enough funding for those programs and cash assistance projects.)

Pangandaman said she has not received any requests from government agencies asking for additional funds for these programs.

Motor tanker Princess Empress was carrying around 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves on February 28. All 20 people on board were rescued.

A total of 151,463 people, or 32,661 families, in 131 barangays in Mimaropa and Western Visayas were affected by the oil spill, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday.

At least 189 people fell ill due to the oil spill, it added.

A state of calamity was declared in 10 cities and municipalities, according to the NDRRMC.

The national government, local government units, non-governmental organizations, and other partners provided a total of P28.3 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the affected families, the Region VI Task Force on Oil Spill said. 

The task force also said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is implementing a 45-day cash-for-work program involving 7,198 families (including off-site), which started on March 6. It added that the beneficiaries could also avail of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) and family food packs (FFPs).

The Department of Labor and Employment has also started the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program in the three areas of Caluya: Sibolo, 152; Semirara, 246; and Tinogboc, 66, through a 30-day work program. —VBL, GMA Integrated News