By Joann Villanueva | Philippine News Agency
Aid for fisherfolk affected by the oil spill in Mindoro in February is past the cash relief aspect and has shifted to trainings to help them recover from the disaster, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Gatchalian said distribution of food packs to the affected residents continues in coordination with the provincial government, but noted that disaster response has multiple stages.
In the case of Oriental Mindoro, it is now in the early recovery stage.
He said this is where the livelihood trainings being extended by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) come in.
“That’s why the aid may not be in the form of cash now but in the form of equipment (and) training,” he said.
The oil spill on Feb. 28 was caused by oil tanker MT Princess Empress, which was carrying some 900,000 liters of industrial fuel when it sank off the waters of Naujan. It also affected the waters of Palawan and Antique provinces.
Gatchalian explained that since the oil spill happened six months ago, relief measures should move from just the response period, citing that fishing grounds have reopened.
“So gusto natin unti-unti manumbalik na sa normal ‘yung kanilang mga pamumuhay and that’s where the other departments come in the picture (We want them to slowly regain their livelihood and that’s where the other departments come in the picture),” he said.
He clarified that DSWD will not pull out from the province, noting that it has a field office in the area.
“And we’ll also get in touch with (Oriental Mindoro) Gov. (Humerlito) Bons (Dolor) again and again. And as well as (with the) local chief executives to figure out kung ano pa ‘yung mga dapat gawin (to figure out what else needs to be done),” he added.
In a televised briefing on Monday, Mayor Jennifer Cruz of Pola town said they have received some funding from the Department of Budget and Management for livelihood programs for some 4,800 affected fisherfolk.
She said the residents received food items and have benefited from the 15-day cash-for-work program of the government. However, she is still waiting for additional funding to be able to train more fisherfolk.
