2 years on, many in Pola affected by Mindoro oil spill still await compensation | ABS-CBN
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2 years on, many in Pola affected by Mindoro oil spill still await compensation
2 years on, many in Pola affected by Mindoro oil spill still await compensation
Members of Bantag Dagat clean up the shore affected by an oil spill in Barangay Tagumpay, Pola, Oriental Mindoro on March 2, 2023. Russel Tan, Pola Oriental Mindoro Official Page/File
Members of Bantag Dagat clean up the shore affected by an oil spill in Barangay Tagumpay, Pola, Oriental Mindoro on March 2, 2023. Russel Tan, Pola Oriental Mindoro Official Page/FileORIENTAL MINDORO — Two years after becoming the epicenter of an oil spill disaster following the sinking of the oil tanker MT Princess Empress, many residents of Pola in Oriental Mindoro are still expressing frustration over not receiving compensation for damages.
ORIENTAL MINDORO — Two years after becoming the epicenter of an oil spill disaster following the sinking of the oil tanker MT Princess Empress, many residents of Pola in Oriental Mindoro are still expressing frustration over not receiving compensation for damages.
MT Princess Empress sank on February 28, 2023, carrying almost 1,000,000 liters of industrial fuel.
MT Princess Empress sank on February 28, 2023, carrying almost 1,000,000 liters of industrial fuel.
The town of Pola commemorated the second anniversary of the oil spill disaster last Friday. Over 30 boats, carrying fishermen from the town of Pola, simultaneously set out to demonstrate their ongoing recovery from the oil spill that devastated their livelihoods for more than five months.
The town of Pola commemorated the second anniversary of the oil spill disaster last Friday. Over 30 boats, carrying fishermen from the town of Pola, simultaneously set out to demonstrate their ongoing recovery from the oil spill that devastated their livelihoods for more than five months.
A memorial marker was inaugurated by Mayor Jennifer Cruz and former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. in front of Pola Bay, symbolizing their recovery and hope.
A memorial marker was inaugurated by Mayor Jennifer Cruz and former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. in front of Pola Bay, symbolizing their recovery and hope.
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Abalos was the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government at the time of the oil spill.
Abalos was the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government at the time of the oil spill.
According to Cruz, even though two years have passed, they are still feeling the negative effects of the oil spill on the livelihoods of those in the fishing and tourism sectors.
According to Cruz, even though two years have passed, they are still feeling the negative effects of the oil spill on the livelihoods of those in the fishing and tourism sectors.
She said that nearly 50 percent of those affected have still not received compensation from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC).
She said that nearly 50 percent of those affected have still not received compensation from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC).
"'Yung mga resort owner natin totally hindi pa nakakakuha, 'yung mga nasa palengke natin, 'yung mga nagtitinda hindi pa rin nakakakuha. Meaning more or less 50 percent pa lang ang nakakakuha ng compensation sa mamamayan ng Pola," said Cruz.
"'Yung mga resort owner natin totally hindi pa nakakakuha, 'yung mga nasa palengke natin, 'yung mga nagtitinda hindi pa rin nakakakuha. Meaning more or less 50 percent pa lang ang nakakakuha ng compensation sa mamamayan ng Pola," said Cruz.
(The resort owners have received nothing. Our market vendors have nothing. More or less half of the residents of Pola have yet to receive compensation)
(The resort owners have received nothing. Our market vendors have nothing. More or less half of the residents of Pola have yet to receive compensation)
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Some fish vendors were also unhappy with the compensation amount they received, which they said was very small compared to the income lost during the fishing ban.
Some fish vendors were also unhappy with the compensation amount they received, which they said was very small compared to the income lost during the fishing ban.
Nympha Rivera, a fish vendor, had to return the compensation payment amounting to P6,000 she received from the IOPC, which she considered a very minimal amount.
Nympha Rivera, a fish vendor, had to return the compensation payment amounting to P6,000 she received from the IOPC, which she considered a very minimal amount.
“Isinauli ko po kasi hindi naman po sapat 'yun sa akin tinigil na paghahanapbuhay, nagtiis kami, nagkautang-utang kami. Sabi ng aking anak kulang talaga sa mga inutang namin sa pagkain dahil hindi kami makalabas ng pangingisda. Sana naman po madagdagan naman po, kami po ay baon na sa utang," said Rivera.
“Isinauli ko po kasi hindi naman po sapat 'yun sa akin tinigil na paghahanapbuhay, nagtiis kami, nagkautang-utang kami. Sabi ng aking anak kulang talaga sa mga inutang namin sa pagkain dahil hindi kami makalabas ng pangingisda. Sana naman po madagdagan naman po, kami po ay baon na sa utang," said Rivera.
(I returned it because it really was not enough for the livelihood that was halted. We went through hardship, we went into debt. My child said it was really not enough for what we borrowed for food when we couldn't fish. I hope they raise the amount because we are really deep in debt)
(I returned it because it really was not enough for the livelihood that was halted. We went through hardship, we went into debt. My child said it was really not enough for what we borrowed for food when we couldn't fish. I hope they raise the amount because we are really deep in debt)
Rodney De Guzman also complained that he declared a loss of P1,500 in daily income, but the payment approved for him by the IOPC was only P12,000 for the four months that he couldn't sell any fish.
Rodney De Guzman also complained that he declared a loss of P1,500 in daily income, but the payment approved for him by the IOPC was only P12,000 for the four months that he couldn't sell any fish.
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"Unfair naman po 'yun sa amin, 'yung iba po ang lalaki mahigit P200,000 eh kami po kaunti lang. Kami po lahat ng taga-palengke po mayroon po P6,000, mayroon P9,000, may P10,000 lang po," said De Guzman.
"Unfair naman po 'yun sa amin, 'yung iba po ang lalaki mahigit P200,000 eh kami po kaunti lang. Kami po lahat ng taga-palengke po mayroon po P6,000, mayroon P9,000, may P10,000 lang po," said De Guzman.
(That is unfair to us. Others were asking for large amounts, more than P200,000, we didn't ask for much. Us market vendors were asking for just P6,000, P9,000, P10,000)
(That is unfair to us. Others were asking for large amounts, more than P200,000, we didn't ask for much. Us market vendors were asking for just P6,000, P9,000, P10,000)
Cruz could not hide her disappointment over the slow progress in the payment of damages, saying compensation should not be released in batches.
Cruz could not hide her disappointment over the slow progress in the payment of damages, saying compensation should not be released in batches.
"Pare-parehas na naghirap, nawalan ng trabaho. Kailangan sabay-sabay makakakuha."
"Pare-parehas na naghirap, nawalan ng trabaho. Kailangan sabay-sabay makakakuha."
(Everyone suffered or lost their livelihood. Compensation should be released at the same time)
(Everyone suffered or lost their livelihood. Compensation should be released at the same time)
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According to Cruz, the IOPC has not yet started reimbursing the local government for the expenses incurred in the oil spill response and the compensation for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill.
According to Cruz, the IOPC has not yet started reimbursing the local government for the expenses incurred in the oil spill response and the compensation for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill.
The IOPC has set a deadline of March 1, 2026, for those affected by the oil spill to submit their compensation claims.
The IOPC has set a deadline of March 1, 2026, for those affected by the oil spill to submit their compensation claims.
Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor previously said that over 30,000 fisherfolk have received compensation claims, with the highest amount reaching P700,000.
Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito Dolor previously said that over 30,000 fisherfolk have received compensation claims, with the highest amount reaching P700,000.
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