Marcos distributes P363 million aid to Cavite oil spill victims

MANILA, Philippines — The siphoning of industrial oil from sunken motor tanker Terra Nova is expected to be completed in two weeks, President Marcos said during the distribution of financial assistance to fisherfolk in Cavite yesterday.

Marcos provided P363 million in cash assistance to 33,000 fisherfolk affected by oil spills caused by the sinking of motor tankers Terra Nova and Jason Bradley as well as motor vessel Mirola 1 in the waters off Bataan last month.

“We have successfully contained the oil spills from these tankers, particularly the Terra Nova, without damaging our environment,” Marcos said during the aid distribution in General Trias.

“We have also started our operations to fully recover oil from the said tanker (Terra Nova) and we expect this to be completed as soon as possible,” he added.

Repair works on Jason Bradley as well as removal of seawater from Mirola 1 are onging, Marcos said.

Over 25,000 families and more than 33,000 fisherfolk in Cavite were affected by the oil spills.

Marcos said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel informed him that the spills have been contained and people can now return to fishing.

He said the government is investigating the cause of the oil spills and vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the sea accidents.

Marcos gave assurance that affected residents would be compensated.

During the event, Marcos turned over P161.51 million from the Office of the President to Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla.

The fund will be used to assist affected fisherfolk, who will be given P5,000 each.

Marcos said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provided P18 million worth of post-harvest equipment, training and financial assistance to victims of oil spills.