Oil spill damage hits over P41B, says CEED

SUSTAINABILITY think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) said in a report that the Mindoro oil spill has caused P41.2 billion worth of damage to the environment and fisherfolk.

Results from the report showed an increase of 800 percent compared to the government’s numbers, noting that “official assessments failed to include significant implications for affected communities and ecosystems.”

“The oil spill has also impoverished the people not just of Mindoro but other surrounding communities that depend on the resources of VIP for their survival,” said Gerry Arances, executive director of CEED.

He also said that the incident in the Verde Island Passage (VIP) and other oil spills are costly and can permanently alter vulnerable ecosystems.

Released two days before the first anniversary of the oil spill, the report from CEED also said that socioeconomic losses amount to P1.1 billion.

“The government has yet to produce a comprehensive study detailing the full extent of the impact of the oil spill on the environment and livelihood. This delay not only undermines transparency and accountability but also hampers efforts to address the immediate and long-term needs of affected populations,” said Arances.

“In the absence of timely and accurate data, the VIP remains a silent victim without any protection afforded to it,” he added.

Arances also said that polluters must restore affected ecosystems, urging the government to take action in ensuring that the oil spill incident is being addressed properly.

The oil spill which affected the VIP happened when the MT Princess Empress, carrying approximately 800,000 liters of industrial oil, sank off the central island of Mindoro on Feb. 28, 2023.

Lead convenor of Protect VIP Fr. Edwin Gariguez, meanwhile, expressed disappointment over the lack of action one year after the oil spill incident.