State of calamity in Pola town lifted

ORIENTAL MINDORO: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the local government unit (LGU) of Pola here as authorities officially lifted the state of calamity on Monday following the major oil spill caused by the sinking of motor tanker Princess Empress last year.

DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Diana Rose Cajipe emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders in reducing the effects of the oil spill on the daily lives and economic security of residents along the coastline.

“The DSWD is one with your community and local government in overcoming this challenge. Our national government, local government, government employees, volunteers, and most importantly, our kababayan, have come together to address the damage caused by the oil spill,” Cajipe said.

“This is not just a simple ceremony, but a symbol of our strength, unity, and hope,” she added.

Cajipe also pointed out that the DSWD, through its “Angels in Red Vests,” swiftly responded to the needs of those affected, particularly fishermen, by providing a variety of interventions.

“It is our honor at DSWD that each Angel in Red Vest can deliver assistance to you, accompanied by extra care and extra love for the affected family,” Cajipe said.

The DSWD gave more than P982.7 million in humanitarian assistance to nearly 42,500 households affected by the disaster in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan, and Antique.

Aside from the distribution of family food packs (FFPs) to affected families, the DSWD provided monetary assistance through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), emergency cash transfer (ECT), and cash-for-work (CFW) programs.

“Through cash-for-work, communities have become our partners in finding ways to mitigate the effects of the oil spill while providing them with temporary income,” Cajipe said.

Cajipe reaffirmed the DSWD’s commitment to assisting and supporting the impacted community, regardless of the lifting of the state of calamity in the municipality of Pola.

The state of calamity in Pola town was lifted a year after the MT Princess Empress sank along the coast of Naujan on the morning of Feb. 28, 2023.