DSWD: Assistance continues for locals affected by MT Princess Empress oil spill

The Department of Social Welfare and Development was continuing the delivery of financial aid and food relief to Mimaropa areas affected by last February's MT Princess Empress oil spill.

In a Tuesday statement, the DSWD reported a total of 40,583 MIMAROPA beneficiaries had received cash aid totaling P228,190,450 through cash-for-work (CFW) programs.

Furthermore, 294,295 family food packs were delivered to affected residents.

“Ang policy ng DSWD, base sa instruction ng ating Pangulo, is to work with the local government units. In the case of Mindoro, we have reported this numerous times now, the food packs tuloy-tuloy yun when the oil spill was running,” Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Nakikipag-usap tayo sa ating gobernador kung ano pang mga interventions ang kanyang kailangan at ang sabi nga niya, mag-usap kami ulit sa mga darating na araw. O-obserbahan nila kung saang towns pa yung mga nangangailangan,” he added.

Several areas in Mimaropa were affected by the oil spill following the sinking of the MT Princess Empress last February. The ship was carrying over 800,000 liters of oil.

The spill disrupted the livelihoods of over 99,000 individuals or 19,900 families in nearby areas, with 13 out of 77 areas in direct contact with the spill declaring a state of calamity. — DVM, GMA Integrated News