Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) – For residents of Calapan City and Pola town in Oriental Mindoro, the oil spill’s effect on livelihoods is worse than that of COVID-19, environmental groups said Monday.
According to the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, a survey showed that 93% of the respondents in Calapan and 86.5% in Pola said their income is “not enough” after a fishing ban was implemented in their locality.
The group conducted an inspection, a survey, and interviews in four barangays in Calapan and two barangays in Pola from April 1 to 3, 2023.
READ: Over 137,000 people affected by Mindoro oil spill – DSWD
Jordan Fronda, advocacy coordinator of the Center for Environmental Concerns said they observed a “domino effect” of the damage from the oil spill in the two municipalities.
“Bukod sa apektado talaga ‘yung mga fisherfolk, mayroong mga tao na hindi direktang nangingisda pero apektado rin talaga, katulad ng mga tricycle driver, mga sari-sari store vendors,” he said in a press conference.
[Translation: Besides the fishermen who are really affected, there are people who are not directly fishing but are also really affected, like tricycle drivers, sari-sari store vendors.]
Fronda said parents from Calapan were also having difficulties sending their children to school due to lack of income.
“May ilan na mga magulang na imbes na isang buong linggo papapasukin ang mga anak, two to three times a week na lang pinapapasok,” he added.
[Translation: There are some parents who, instead of sending their children to school for a whole week, only send them two to three times a week.]
The group found that in Pola, the monthly average income loss per family is ₱7,500. Pola has been under a fishing and swimming ban for more than five weeks now.
Health concerns
The report also showed that 87.5% of the residents in Pola and 55% in Calapan have been exposed to the oil slick, mainly due to the inhalation of fumes.
According to the group, 41% of residents in Pola have reported symptoms that they attributed to exposure to the slick.
READ: DOH: 191 people fell ill from oil spill
Cleaners were allegedly given limited insurance and no hazard pay, the report added.
A lawmaker earlier said the Mindoro oil spill exposed how “ill-equipped” the country is against threats to its aquatic resources.
READ: Oil spill exposed weaknesses of PH disaster response capabilities – lawmaker
