Korean Coast Guard to help in Oriental Mindoro oil spill cleanup

The Korean Embassy in Manila said it has deployed its coast guard to assist the Philippine Coast Guard in the cleanup of the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

“This is the first time Korea has provided assistance for the prevention of marine pollution, and Korea highly values the importance of restoring areas affected by environmental disasters and accidents,” the Embassy said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

The Korean government would also give 20 tons of sorbet pads and snares, 1,000 meters of solid flotation curtain boom, and 2,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Philippines.

According to the PCG, the Korean government would also provide technical experts.

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 163,498 people or 34,553 families in Mimaropa and Western Visayas have been affected by the oil spill, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council  (NDRRMC) said as of Thursday.

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

At least 192 people fell ill due to the oil spill. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News