Vice President Sara Duterte went to Caluya island town of Antique to visit residents affected by the oil spill caused by the sinking of MT Princess Empress.
During her visit, she also joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to oil spill victims and provided school supplies and dental kits to Grade 1 and Grade 4 students.
Photos from Inday Sara Duterte via Facebook
Sara Duterte visits Antique; here’s what went down
Mar 13, 2023 02:37 PM
At a glance
Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, March 13, took time to visit residents affected by the oil spill in Caluya island town of Antique.
The official was in Libertad, Antique as the guest speaker for the 23rd Banigan Festival Opening Program at the Libertad Municipal Plaza.
Duterte personally distributed the Relief for Individuals in Crisis and Emergencies (RICE),
to the oil spill victims, who also received the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
A state of calamity has been declared in the island town as a result of the oil spill that has affected its municipal waters.
The oil spill resulted from the sinking of MT Princess Empress last Feb. 28. This oil tanker was carrying about 800,000 liters of industrial fuel when it sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
A statement from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said there was a total of 1,200 RICE food boxes that were distributed in identified payout sites.
Duterte’s office identified the affected residents from Barangays Semirara, Tinogboc, Alegria and Sibolo, and Sitio Liwagao.
As of March 3, the oil spill has affected 7,617 families or 25,733 Individuals, at least 450 of whom are seaweed planters and 3,649 fisherfolk, the OVP said.
While Duterte was in Caluya, she also led the distribution of school supplies and dental kits to students from various public schools there.
According to the OVP, more than 1,000 PagbaBAGo bags were given to elementary students from seven different schools in the villages of Alegria, Bunlao, Lim, Sabang, Semirara, Tinogboc, and Villarises.
This program aims to instill the importance of basic education and nurture the right attitude to achieve success among young Filipinos.
Duterte stressed on the learners the significance of education in ending the cycle of poverty.
The Vice President also held dialogues with teachers and listened to their concerns about the education sector.
During her visit, she also talked to the children’s parents, convincing them to practice responsible parenthood and family planning.