Caritas Philippines to provide assistance to families affected by Oriental Mindoro oil spill

The humanitarian and social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) vowed to provide assistance to the families affected by the oil spill from a sunken motor tanker off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Diocesan Social Action director Fr. Edwin Gariguez said the NASSA Caritas Philippines has committed to support at least 250 families affected by the oil spill.

“NASSA Caritas Philippines has committed to support 250 affected families with food packs that will be made available to the unreached and most needy affected coastal communities,” Gariguez said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Fund transfer is now being processed to the Diocesan Social Action Center. Finalization of the list of beneficiaries will be done during the meeting with the affected parishes on March 14, 2023, 1:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Parish Pinamalayan,” he added.

Gariguez also said that the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Center (LASAC) will also provide emergency assistance to the affected families.

“This stand by relief goods will be temporarily stored in the available space in St. Francis of Assisi Quasi Parish for distribution once the beneficiaries list has been finalized and operation plan has been set up hopefully by next week,” he added.

He also said that the local government units and provincial government are providing the needed assistance to the affected communities.

Motor tanker Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves on February 28. All 20 people on board were rescued.

Oil spills were reported in several areas in Mindoro, prompting the coastal town of Pola to declare a state of calamity.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday deemed several areas in Oriental Mindoro not safe for swimming after the water samples gathered from the coastal towns did not pass the water quality test amid an oil spill from a submerged motor tanker.

Pola, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Jennifer Cruz on Thursday said they are considering filing a case against the shipowner of the sunken motor tanker. —Richa Noriega/ VAL, GMA Integrated News