Oil slicks from the recent oil spill in Oriental Mindoro have already reached a number of areas in Palawan, prompting barangays to take part in preventing further damages. In a “Laging Handa” briefing on Monday, March 13, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Jerry Alili shared that a number of barangays in Taytay, Palawan were already affected by the oil spill, particularly the coatal barangays of Casian, Calawag, and Biton. "Matapos po ma-i-report ‘yong sighting sa Casian, nag-conduct kaagad ng clearing operations ‘yong LGU (local government unit) ng Taytay, ng barangay, at pinangunahan ito ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Na-clear naman po kaagad ‘yong area at after how many days ino-observe namin, wala na ring bagong sightings ng mga oil slick (After receiving reports on the sighting in Casian, the Local Government of Taytay and the barangay were led by PCG in conducting clearing operations. The area was easily cleared and after several days of observation, not a single new sighting of oil slick was found)," Alili said. In Barangay Calawag, on the other hand, the Taytay LGU is currently conducting containment in areas with oil slick sightings with the help of PCG. "Dito po sa Calawag ay umaabot sa halos 100 to 150 liters ang nakolekta sa mahabang baybayin ng isla (Here in Calawag, the total amound of oil slicks collected from the long island shore were from 100 to 150 liters)," he reported. On Feb. 28, the PCG reported an oil spill from motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress which capsized the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro earlier that day and was reportedly carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil as cargo. "Hindi naman po masyadong affected ‘yong mga community dahil po ‘yong volume po ng oil na dumating ay hindi naman ganoon kadami hindi katulad doon sa ground zero, doon sa Mindoro kung saan nanggaling oil spill (Our communities are not greatly affected because the volume of oil reaching us is not as much as the amount there in ground zero, in Mindoro, where the oil spill came)," the official noted. "Dito po ay kaunting kumpol-kumpol na oil lamang ang nakita. Ito po ay nalinis din kaagad ng ating volunteers sa barangay, naayos din po kaagad ng PCG (Here, we only saw a few oil slicks, which were also cleaned immediately by our barangay volunteers and the PCG)," he added. Alili also disclosed that some seaweed plantations were already affected and we are currently determining the extent of the oil spill effects on the planters. At present, the PDRRMO, the LGUs, and the barangay are preparing for possible oil slicks in certain areas in the coming days. "Kami po ay naghahanda na lahat ng mga munisipyo na posibleng daanan nito na malapit dito sa area. Marami po sa kanila ay gumawa na ng mga improvised oil spill boom at nilatag na especially doon sa mga production area (We are preparing the municipalities that might be affected by the oil spill in the area. Many of them created improvised oil spill brooms and placed them especially on production areas)," the PDRRMO head stated. "'Yong mga area kung saan mayroon silang seaweed plantation, fish cages, at ‘yong mga area kung saan may tourism areas/establishments, ito po ay nilagyan na ng proteksyon para po hindi na dumikit sa mga dalampasigan itong mga langis kung mayroon man (The areas where there are seaweed plantations, fish cages, and tourism destinations and establishments are now protected to avoid oil from sticking on the shore)," he went on. At present, there is still no fishing ban in the areas, but the DENR was able to conduct testing to check the water quality, the areas reached by the oil spill, and the effects on seaweed platation areas. Different agencies are also set to meet and ensure that the assistance needed by the residents are being provided. Meanwhile, the PDRRMO encourages people to immediately report any sighting of oil slick.