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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solon seeks creation of gov't mechanism to handle oil spills

Solon seeks creation of gov't mechanism to handle oil spills

Published Jul 31, 2024 09:37 am

At A Glance

  • AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee is pushing for the creation of a government crisis management mechanism that shall oversee the containment of oil spills and the mitigation of its effects.

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AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Rep.Lee's office)

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee is pushing for the creation of a government crisis management mechanism that shall oversee the containment of oil spills and the mitigation of its effects.

This, as the oil spill in Manila Bay caused by the sunken marine tanker (MT) Terranova off the coast of Bataan was estimated to affect over 19,000 fisherfolk.

Lee said that despite the fast response of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in putting up containment to fend off the tide of toxic slick and the government’s immediate creation of an inter-agency task force, the country should be “genuinely capacitated” in mitigating effects of oil spills.

“Dahil nakikita natin na madalas mangyari ang ganitong aksidente at malawak ang mapaminsalang epekto nito, dapat handa na lagi dito ang gobyerno. Hindi pwedeng reactionary tayo o saka pa lang tayo naghahanda ng gagawin kapag may nangyayaring ganito,” he said in a statement.

(Since we see that this kind of accident happens often and its harmful effects are widespread, the government should always be ready for it. We can't be reactionary or just do something when an event like this happens.)

The rookie lawmaker said this should pave the way for abundant supply of modern equipment that can efficiently respond to oil spills. He added that it’s time for the Philippines to stop relying on other countries in this aspect.

“Filipinos deserve better crisis management to protect their livelihood so we should demand better from the government,” noted Lee.

“Buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan ang nakataya lagi dito (The lives and livelihoods of our countrymen are always at stake here),” he stressed.

Based on estimates by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the oil spill in Manila Bay could affect 11,000 fisherfolk in Bataan and 8,000 in Bulacan, with an income loss of P83.8 million and P63 million per month, respectively.

With thousands of fisherfolk on the brink of losing their livelihoods for several months, the congressman is also batting for a stronger implementation of government programs such as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

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Manila Bay wilbert lee Oil spill
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