President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is somewhat satisfied with the government's response to the oil spill but told government agencies to pick up the pace as the oil was already reaching the shoreline.

President Marcos conducts an aerial inspection of areas affected by the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and other nearby communities on April 15, 2023. (RTVM screenshots)

Marcos said this after he conducted an aerial inspection of the affected areas of the oil spill that started after oil tanker MT Princess Empress sank near Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, on Feb. 28.

In a speech during the distribution of various government assistance in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, on April 15, the President said the government's response was looking good but ordered concerned agencies to speed up.

"Maganda naman po ang naging resulta, so far, dahil lahat po ng ahensya ng gobyerno mula noong tumama ‘yung oil spill, mula noong lumubog ‘yung barko, ay lahat na naka-alert na lahat (The results are looking good, so far, since every agency are on red alert since the vessel sank)," he said.

"Inistruksiyonan ko ang ating mga secretary upang gawin lahat kasi madalian, lalo na ‘yung palapit na ‘yung --- palapit na ‘yung oil spill dito sa shoreline (I instructed our secretaries to go faster especially since the oil spill is already reaching the shoreline)," he added.

Sa aerial inspection at situation briefing na isinagawa natin sa Oriental Mindoro, inalam natin ang iba pang kinakailangan sa paglutas ng pinsalang idinulot ng oil spill. pic.twitter.com/CHsgLN2NTt

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) April 15, 2023

The spill started when the MT Princess Empress, carrying approximately 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, partially sank near Naujan in Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28. It fully submerged on March 1.

A report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that the oil spill had spread to other areas. Most of those impacted were found in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

On Saturday, President Marcos led the distribution of various government assistance to over 1,200 beneficiaries in the Municipality of Pola.

The President turned over 17 fishing boats with engines to the Province of Oriental Mindoro.

He also led the turnover of the following:

• One unit of post-harvest technology package (fish-smoking technology) worth P335,739 to Maasin Marine Protected Area Association in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro
• One unit of 65 HP tractor with implements to Maralitang Magsasaka ng Mindoro in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro
• Three units of pump and engine to Maralitang Magsasaka ng Mindoro and Mahabang Parang Farmers Association in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro
• Six water pumps for the Municipalities of Pola, Naujan, and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro
• 2.5 kilos of assorted vegetable seeds, 10 bags of black rice, two bags of brown rice, 300 bags of certified palay seeds, and 300 corn seeds to the local government of Pola

Other assistance from different national government agencies included:

• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)'s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) programs
• Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE)'s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program
• Department of Agriculture (DA)'s Rice Program, Organic Banner Program, High-Value Commodity Development Program, and loan assistance
• Fishing boats, fishing equipment, and fuel subsidy from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• Financial assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)