The United States will be supporting Filipino fisherfolk whose livelihood has been affected by an oil spill in Oriental Mindoro through training them to become citizen scientists in the meantime.

The US Embassy in Manila said Friday that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will extend P10 million worth of assistance for the initiative.

The fund, according to USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn, will be used to train fisherfolk displaced by the fishing ban so they can deploy as citizen scientists to conduct coastal habitat assessments in the province.

Through its partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., USAID will also assess and monitor the impact of the oil spill on the coastal communities in the Verde Island Passage.

In extending assistance, Washburn said, many communities in the province depend on the tourism and fisheries industries for their livelihoods and the US knows that the oil spill is an even bigger crisis.

"As your enduring friend, partner, and ally, the United States remains committed to support your journey to recovery, and to continue our partnership toward the protection and conservation of this region's rich coastal and marine resources," he said.

After the MT Empire Princess sank in the waters off Oriental Mindoro in February, Washington has provided various assistance, including sending its team of environmental experts and providing satellite imagery and modeling applications to help authorities estimate the trajectory of the spill.