Who foots oil spill bill?

Communities affected by the 2023 MT Princess Empress oil spill are seeking compensation through a class suit, calling on San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the beleaguered tanker’s charterer, to share in the estimated P41.2 billion environmental claim.

SMC, through its subsidiary SL Harbor Bulk Terminal, chartered the tanker. The company earlier announced a 54 percent profit jump to P60.3 billion in the first nine months of 2025, excluding foreign exchange effects and one- off items.

SMC attributed the gains to strong growth in its food, spirits, power and infrastructure businesses, which offset external pressures on its fuel and oil segments.

The fisherfolk petitioners said they are under pressure from local authorities over the legal action.

“Big business, whose destructive activities bring them harm, report higher earnings year in and out, in stark contrast to the debt and livelihood loss that affected fisherfolk. SMC and other fossil fuel companies must be held accountable for the ecological degradation they bring,” the petitioners said.

“While we continue to demand justice for the oil spill-affected communities, we also call for a long-term solution to prevent such disasters to happen in the Verde Island Passage and the whole of our oceans,” they added.