Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) — The Department of Health has provided medical assistance to affected Oriental Mindoro communities as authorities rush to contain the oil spill from a sunken tanker.
\”This recent incident calls for a whole-of-government approach, and with the environment being a major determinant of the health of our people, the DOH is working closely together with other concerned national government agencies and local government units to mitigate the effects of the oil spill to the affected communities,\” said Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
The DOH has given medicines, face masks, nebulizers, oxygen concentrators and other health supplies to the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro. The agency also had also readied its toxicology experts to support local primary care providers.
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Naitala ang paglubog ng tanker na si MT Princess Empress na nagresulta sa pagtagas ng 800,000 litro (211,338 galon) ng industrial fuel oil at kasalukuyang naglalagay sa panganib sa mga tao sa paligid nito sa Oriental Mindoro at sa humigit-kumulang 591 ektarya ng coral reef, pic.twitter.com/wV8WCwZPl7
— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) March 5, 2023
The local government will also start rationing water as residents were told not to use water from direct sources, especially those living near the coasts.
"Ia-anticipate natin, ite-test natin 'yong sources of water nila para makita natin kung may bahid na or may contamination na. At kung hindi pa, gagawa na ng paraan with the [help of the] local government, of course, kung paano namin mapoprotektahan ang ating sources of water," Vergeire told reporters.
[Translation: We will test their sources of water to check if these are already contaminated. If not, we will create measures with the help of the local government, of course, on how to protect these sources of water.]
Vergeire also said the agency will continue its surveillance even after the oil spill is contained to monitor the long-term effects on the residents' health.
According to the DOH, toxic chemicals from the oil spill can cause skin and lung diseases, aside from nausea, vomiting, and upset stomachs.
On the other hand, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is preparing more activities to hasten coastal cleanup efforts.
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WATCH: DENR-EMB MIMAROPA continues its cleanup operations using locally available oil-absorbent materials. EMB is currently installing provisional spill booms made of cogon and sawali to prevent the oil spill from reaching the beach & mangrove areas in Pola, OrMin. pic.twitter.com/xP6kGtqBbS
— ＤＥＮＲ (@DENROfficial) March 4, 2023
