Around 19,000 fishermen affected by the recent oil spill in Oriental Mindoro are set to receive food assistance and undergo livelihood training that can help them move forward from the impact of the incident, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) revealed. In a television interview, BFAR Spokesperson Nazario Briguera disclosed that on top of providing food assistance for the affected fishermen, a P4.2-million budget will be allotted to help them find a "temporary livelihood." “We will start launching projects using this fund. First, a livelihood skill training training for fishermen, where we will teach them fish processing using, of course, the fish harvested from unaffected areas,” he said in Filipino. On February 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. Some 19,000 fishermen from nine municipalities had to stop following the restriction of fishing activities. “Our critical marine habitats were hit, including our mangroves and coral reefs, and this is fatal to our fish larvae and fish eggs,"Briguera noted, adding that they are providing smokehouses for fish processing. The BFAR will also launch the Kadiwa Oplan Isda in a bid to help fisherfolk cooperatives deliver fish to nearby markets. Aside from fishermen, the Department of Tourism earlier reported that 61 tourist destinations in Oriental Mindoro and nearby provinces have already been affected by the oil spill. “There are 61 [tourism] sites that are affected in Oriental Mindoro, and several beach resorts that have been negatively affected,” Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco said. “Our regional offices have been in very close collaboration and coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Coast Guard, as well as our local government unit, and other relevant government agencies,” she went on.