The local governments of Malabon and Valenzuela provided aid on Friday, March 17, to the victims of the oil spill caused by a sunken vessel in the municipal waters of Pola, Oriental Mindoro last Feb. 28.
The vessel, MT Princess Empress, was reportedly carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it encountered engine failure.
The oil reportedly spread throughout the municipality's shorelines on Thursday evening, March 16.
The provincial government of Oriental Mindoro said at least 160 residents have been ill due to the oil spill.
Malabon City PIO/MANILA BULLETIN
Meanwhile, the local government of Malabon City supplied 2,000 liters of Intravenous (IV) fluids to residents who were hospitalized due to the leakage.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Officer-in-Charge of the City Health Department, Dr. Bernadette Bordador, personally gave the supplies to Department of Health (DOH) Chief of Emergency Response Dr. Ervin R. Miranda.
IV fluids are formulated liquids injected into a patient's body to prevent dehydration.
Meanwhile, the Valenzuela City government through its Cares Plus Program donated P5-million worth of rice to the victims.
The city's Cares Plus Program aims to guide, assist, and assess the welfare of city residents and help other cities and municipalities that are under calamities.
The city government said the rice will be given to municipalities that are highly affected by the recent oil spill.
Among the municipalities that will receive the rice donation will be Naujan, Pola, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao.
The VC Cares Plus team, led by Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, Malabon City Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, and City Social Welfare Operations (CSWDO) Chief of Staff Dorothy Evangelista, personally visited Pola, Oriental Mindoro to formally turnover the rice donation and assess the situation of the province and its residents.
The senator and city delegates were welcomed and assisted by Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor and Vice Governor Ejay Falcon, and Pola Mayor Jennifer Cruz.
The Valenzuela City Council also passed Resolution No. 2748-Series of 2023 which formalized the donation to the oil spill-affected areas. It was authorized by Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian last March 10.
The city government said the oil spill has also resulted in the disruption of the livelihood of 15,000 fisherfolks, beach resorts, and other business establishments in the province's coastline areas.
It also caused serious damage to marine protected areas in the province.