Some 30,000 fisherfolk are being paid from the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) fund nearly two years after an oil spill severely impacted Oriental Mindoro, according to Governor Humerlito Dolor.
He said that some of the beneficiaries were getting as much as P700,000, ABS-CBN News reported.
The oil spill, caused by the sinking of the tanker Princess Empress on February 28, 2023, affected the livelihoods of local residents, particularly fisherfolk, prompting compensation claims.
In addition, around 300 individuals from the tourism sector have started receiving their compensation, with an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 more expected to benefit.
In total, approximately 35,000 to 40,000 individuals from Oriental Mindoro are expected to receive compensation from the IOPC.
Governor Dolor pointed out that Oriental Mindoro is the fastest province in the world to receive compensation for an oil spill, thanking the IOPC for the swift process.
The provincial government is also set to receive compensation for expenses related to the oil spill response, with initial assessments indicating a claim of at least P41 million.
Environmental damage claims are still being assessed. Those who have not yet submitted compensation claims have until March 1, 2026, to do so.
The MT Princess Empress sank near Balingawan Point in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, while carrying nearly one million liters of industrial fuel.
The spill affected not only Oriental Mindoro but also parts of Batangas, Palawan, and Antique.
“Oriental Mindoro remains the fastest province to receive compensation for any oil spill in the world, and we are grateful that our people did not have to wait for such a long time,” said Dolor.