A progressive fisherfolk group on Tuesday, March 7, called on the government to provide economic subsidy and livelihood support to fishers and their families who have been affected by the Oriental, Mindoro oil spill. On Feb. 28, the Philippine Coast Guard reported an oil spill from the motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress, which had capsized off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro earlier that day and was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil as cargo. Around 1, 200 fisherfolk and coastal residents have been affected by the oil spill in at least three coastal villages in the Semirara Island in the town of Caluya, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said in a statement. “Isang linggo nang apektado ang kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng oil spill, kabilang ang isla ng Semirara. Kailangan nila ng agaran at pang-araw-araw na panustos para sa kanilang pamilya (The livelihood of fishers in areas devastated by the oil spill, including Semirara Island. They immediately need money to make ends money),” Pamalakaya Chairperson Fernando Hicap. “Nananawagan kami sa mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na sabayang aksyunan ang paglilinis ng kumalat na langis at paghahatid ng ayuda sa mga apektadong mangingisda at pamilya sa tabing dagat (We are calling on concerned agencies of the government to act together to clean up the spilled oil and deliver aid to the affected fishermen and their families ),” he went on. As the oil spill may harm the coral reefs and mangroves that provide fish with habitat, Hicap noted that it will undoubtedly have a negative impact on fishing grounds and result in a decrease in catch rates. Pamalakaya said that local and national governments should also prepare for possible fish kills caused by fish poisoning and water contamination due to the oil spill. The fishers group said that for the assessment of the effects of the oil spill on marine resources and coastal communities, it is closely collaborating with its chapter in Panay. “Once the report is consolidated, PAMALAKAYA will reach out to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to seek concrete rehabilitation for the affected livelihoods and damaged resources,” said Pamalakaya. The owner of the MT Princess Empress should be demanded compensatory damages and shoulder the cleanup costs of the massive oil spill, the group said.