RDC Reield Marine Services, the owner of the ill-fated MT Princess Empress has asked the forgiveness of the thousands of residents and other stakeholders that were affected by the oil spill brought by their sunk vessel in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

In an official statement on Sunday, which was disseminated by the Philippine Coast Guard on Monday, it said that the company continues to work closely with the government, the PCG, local government representatives, international oil spill experts, and contracted responders to minimize the impact of oil cargo that has leaked from the vessel after sinking off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, last 28 February 2023.

“We are truly sorry that this incident has affected the livelihood of those living in the impacted areas and the spill’s effect on the environment. We are committed to doing everything possible to minimize the ongoing impact on the environment and people’s lives and clean up the spill,” the statement read.

In a radio interview on Monday, Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor said that the affected residents of the oil spill now stood at 99,000 individuals or 19,900 families, particularly in the municipality of Pola as the slicks reached almost all barangay shorelines.

The governor further revealed that dead fish surfaces, while some seagrasses, corals, and mangroves were damaged.

Dolor added that 122 residents in Oriental Mindoro suffered respiratory-related symptoms, while others experienced vomiting and diarrhea.

Palawan still safe

Seaweed plantations and fishes in Palawan are still safe from the oil spill caused by the sunken MT Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro, a government official said Monday.

The volume of oil slick in the Barangay of Calawag, Casian and Biton is not yet alarming, Chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office in Palawan Jerry Alili said.

“The volume of oil in Palawan is minimal compared to that of Oriental Mindoro,” he said on the Philippine Television’s Laging Handa public briefing on Monday.

Alili said the oil spill is being contained through clearing operations by the Philippine Coast Guard and the fisherfolks’ improvised oil spill booms, a floating device with oil-absorbing vacuums and foams.

“Oil slick containment is ongoing.” Raffy Ayeng and Kathryn Jose