Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — The claims office in the provincial capitol of Oriental Mindoro will begin receiving applications from those affected by the oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress.
Included in the priority list for the filing of claims are: registered fisherfolk, registered fish vendors, affected owners of commercial fishing vessels, resort establishments, and community-based tourism organizations. Other affected residents will then be evaluated by claims processors and evaluators.
“Itong mga grupong ito ang prayoridad, ibig sabihin kayong rehistrado pinakamadali niyong ipo-prove ang inyong claim dahil officially registered kayo,” Governor Bonz Dolor said in a briefing on Monday.
[Translation: These groups are the priority, meaning those who are registered will have the easiest claims to prove because you are registered.]
Dolor said claims processors have arrived and application forms are being prepared.
“Mayroon ding gagawing training tomorrow morning para sa employees ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na mag-aassist naman sa ating mga mamamayan para sa pagpila at pagproseso,” he said.
[Translation: Training will be done tomorrow morning for employees of the provincial government so they can assists residents when lining up and processing.]
Claimants may get a copy of the application form from the claims office, where a list of requirements will be posted. Those in the priority groups need to bring valid government IDs and registration papers.
Dolor said claims offices will be established in other parts of the province.
Other documents may be asked from claimants in the processing of their papers.
“‘Yong mga claimant po na pupunta sa claims office, maliban sa application form or sa claims form, sa likod po noon, kalakip po noon ay ‘yong mga list of requirements na maaari niyo pang i-submit, katunayan ng inyong loss o katunayan ng inyong claim,” Mae Vallez, claims manager of the Shipowners’ P&I Club, insurer of MT Princess Empress, said at the briefing.
[Translation: Claimants who will go to the claims office will have to get a claim form, where a list of requirements is written on the back, which can be submitted as proof of loss or claim.]
Information provided by claimants will be evaluated to determine whether the damages sought in their claims form is correct.
Complaint not needed to file claim
Valeriano del Rosario of the Shipowners’ P&I Club said filing a complaint against the owners of the sunken vessel is not needed to file a claim.
“Hindi na po kailangan magsampa ng kaso para makakuha ng compensation para sa mga binanggit na category ni governor. Ang kailangan, ang pinakamahalaga kumuha ng claims form, dalhin sa claims processing at i-fill up ng tama at dalhin yung dokumentong kailangan. Yun ang mahalaga,” he said.
[Translation: A case is not necessary to get compensation for those in the category mentioned by the governor. What is necessary is to get a claim form, to fill it up correctly and to bring the necessary documents. That’s the important thing.]
When asked how long it would take before a claimant can receive compensation, Vallez says she cannot give a definite answer. However, she assured that there would be \”progress\” within three months after filing. She added that it was also possible that a claim could be processed in 30 days.
Dolor said registered individuals and businesses are almost 100% assured of receiving compensation.
However, del Rosario noted that claimants will be asked to sign a quitclaim to receive the compensation.
“‘Pag tatanggap ka ng pera, mayroong pinapapirmahan, tawag diyan release and quitclaim, sinasabi mo, wala na akong hinahabol sa inyo, natanggap ko na ang hinihingi ko, wala na akong hinahabol. ‘Yon ang pipirmahan sa dulo,” Del Rosario explained.
[Translation: When you acccept the money, you will be asked to sign a release and quitclaim where you indicate you that will not go after anything else. You will sign that in the end.]
He said this will be explained to claimants during the process
Del Rosario added that those who will file charges will not get compensated.
