The recent environmental disaster in Bataan caused by an oil spill has left the local fisherfolk community grappling with a huge income loss, already estimated by the Department of Agriculture at ₱78.69 million as of Aug. 7.

Responding to the crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) initially allocated ₱45 million for temporary employment across three districts in Bataan, with an additional fund of ₱237,802,054.74 being prepared to support the severely impacted areas in Bataan, Bulacan, and Pampanga. 

While these government efforts are commendable, the amount poured in is already substantial and is leaving a big dent in the state’s limited budget.
This is why the owners of the ill-fated MT Terra Nova and SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation, the company identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as owner of the fuel cargo, should step up and extend immediate assistance to the affected stakeholders. 

The financial burden on the government is substantial, and the funds being allocated for disaster relief could have been directed toward other vital state programs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. The involvement of SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation in the recent environmental incident necessitates their active participation in the recovery efforts. As a key player in the maritime industry, the corporation has a moral and social responsibility to mitigate the adverse effects of the oil spill on the local communities.

Affected local governments and environmental groups are calling for compensation and support to the affected fisherfolk and coastal communities. The state cannot do this alone, considering its budget constraints. Any delay in assistance not only exacerbates the suffering of the local population but also places an undue financial strain on the government. 

MT Terra Nova and SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation should expedite their assistance to help alleviate the immediate needs of the affected communities. In doing so, it will ensure that the government can reallocate its resources to other critical areas. This proactive approach would not only demonstrate the two companies’ corporate social responsibility but also foster goodwill and trust among the local population.

To its credit, MT Terra Nova has taken steps to clean the oil spill and siphoning out remaining fuel in its tanks.

Now, the onus is on MT Terra Nova and SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corporation to take decisive action and provide the necessary support to the affected stakeholders in Bataan and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, and Pampanga. 

The government’s resources are finite, and the funds being used for disaster relief could be better spent on long-term developmental programs. It is time for the companies with stakes in the fuel cargo transport business to step up and fulfill their obligations to the communities that have been impacted by this oil spill. Government should not be left alone to address the mess brought about by the oil spill. Through the Philippine Coast Guard, it must also strengthen is capability to enforce safety measures that will prevent the recurrence of costly oil spills.