JORDAN, Guimaras Province—Positive attitude is what helped the people of Guimaras Island “survive” the devastating oil spill in 2006 that affected 36 coastal communities in Iloilo and Guimaras provinces. However, they need more help to continue the mangrove rehabilitation and livelihood projects for affected families.

The tanker M/T Solar 1, carrying a cargo of at least two million liters or 13,000 barrels of industrial oil, sank in the southwestern portion of Guimaras Island on August 11, 2006. The cargo chartered by Petron Corp. was en route to Zamboanga from Bataan when it capsized in rough waters.

The incident is considered the most environmentally destructive sea accident in the country's history.

Councilor Nanoy Celiz of Barangay La Paz in Nueva Valencia town said the spill left vast areas of mangroves and corals badly damaged in 28 communities in Guimaras and two in Iloilo.

Celiz, a fisherman, said the oil spill affected their livelihood due to the subsequent fishing ban that lasted several months.

Before the disaster, the fishermen earn an average P800 daily from fishing, but three months after the incident, they only earned a maximum of P300.

Elena Gemma Peñaflorida, president of the La Paz Coastal Development Association, said the sale of fish after the incident dropped. She also observed that the fish in the area now tastes a bit different.

The La Paz Coastal Development Association and the San Roque Coastal Environment Program Association are people's organizations contracted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to conduct eco-tourism activities and planting of mangrove propagules in Taklong Island Natural Marine Reserve in Nueva Valencia town.

Celiz admitted that the oil spill served as a wake up call for Guimarasnons to appreciate the importance of mangroves, corals, and fish species.

“We will remain positive about the program that the DENR gave us. We are hopeful that after 50 years, fish catch and the original state of the waters will return,” he said.

A more systemized protection and preservation of the Taklong Island Natural Marine Reserve is now implemented, Celiz added.

The rehabilitation of mangroves in 30 communities, which include five barangays in Sibunag town, four in San Lorenzo town, 10 in Buenavista town, two in Jordan town, and nine in Nueva Valencia town are ongoing.

Celiz asked the national government to provide affected families additional livelihood and subsidy for implementing the rehabilitation projects.