Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) – On top of a fishing ban and the escalating damage caused by the recent oil spill, aid given to affected fisherfolk of Oriental Mindoro remained “insufficient,” environmental groups said Monday.
“The impacts of the oil spill and fishing ban are also long-term, so it is not enough to just give one-time assistance,” Jordan Fronda, advocacy coordinator of the Center for Environmental Concerns said.
A survey conducted by Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KPNE) revealed that almost all respondents in the municipalities of Calapan and Pola said “ayuda” or aid given to them is \”not enough.\”
The groups said “ayuda” packs would mainly come in the form of food, while other needs such as hygiene supplies for infants or money for allowances and transportation for children going to school were not addressed.
The report also showed 90% of the respondents “do not earn enough to meet their family’s needs” following the oil spill.
“The scale of the impacts is immense, which really shows the need for immediate and more comprehensive action responding to the needs of the people,” said Berto Alinea of Serve the People Corps-Southern Tagalog.
KPNE together with other environmental groups conducted a fact-finding mission to assess the impact of the oil spill from April 1 to 3. It covers two municipalities and six barangays across Oriental Mindoro.
READ: Groups: Residents say socio-economic impact of Mindoro oil spill worse than COVID
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center, the oil slick has affected a total of 172,928 people as of March 26, the majority of whom are from Mimaropa.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development extended its cash-for-work program for people affected by the oil spill until May.
READ: DSWD extends distribution of cash aid to individuals affected by oil spill until May
