President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to speed up the oil spill clean-up in the affected areas in Oriental Mindoro.

In response to the President’s directive, the DENR is looking at the possibility of tapping the participants of this year’s Balikatan exercises for the cleanup drives along the shores affected by the oil spill caused by the Feb. 28 sinking of the MT Princess Empress in the waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province.

During a meeting with President Marcos in Malacañang Wednesday, DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the agency will work together with the United States (US) Embassy to explore the possibility of deploying the participants of the joint military drills, as part of efforts for clean up, mitigation, and remediation to reduce the impact of the oil spill incident.

The Balikatan is the annual Philippine-led bilateral exercise of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces.

Loyzaga said Japan and South Korea have expressed their willingness to help contain the oil spill.

Loyzaga said the DENR is also coordinating with the provincial local government units (LGUs) the vessel owner, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as potential additional source of funds for the cash-for-work program as assistance to the affected residents.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, areas to be given the temporary means of livelihood include the towns of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola and Roxas in Oriental Mindoro; Caluya in Antique and Agutaya in Palawan.

Loyzaga, meanwhile, noted that around PHP60 million has been set aside for the cash-for-work program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) called Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

Loyzaga said the vessel owner’s insurance provider has offered to bring in a ship from China to plug the leak of the vessel.

The DENR chief cited latest reports indicating that the oil spill has reached the Cuyo Island group.

Meanwhile, the oil spill in Antique and Semirara Island is continuing to spread, she added.

Loyzaga said the rate of discharge of oil from the sunken vessel is estimated between 35,000 to 50,000 liters a day.

According to the models of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Naujan and Pola in Oriental Mindoro would be the hardest hit. #