Press Release - Tolentino thanks PBBM for extending cash relief to Cavite fisherfolk displaced by MT Terranova oil spill

Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino thanked President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. for providing financial relief to 9,000 fisherfolk from nine coastal cities and municipalities in Cavite who were affected by the MT Terranova oil spill.

"I thank our President for his genuine concern for our fisherfolk in Cavite and their families. The aid given is meant to help tide them over as they wait for the main compensation, which would come from the owner and insurer of MT Terranova," Tolentino said.

The senator was among those who welcomed President Marcos in General Trias City on Wednesday morning (August 28) for the turnover of cash aid to an initial 9,000 fisherfolk from Rosario, Noveleta, Kawit, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, Ternate, Imus, and Bacoor.

Each beneficiary received P6,500, while the rest of the province's 25,000 affected fisherfolk will receive the same amount in succeeding distributions by the provincial government.

It was Tolentino who filed Senate Resolution No. 1084, which called for an inquiry on the massive oil spill from the ill-fated MT Terranova last July 25, and the sinking of two other cargo vessels that had no proper permits.

"The distribution of the main compensation has yet to start because it still needs to undergo a process," the senator noted, citing information gathered from the Senate inquiry conducted last August 14.

Tolentino stressed that compensation must also be given to other sectors who were similarly affected by the incident and the subsequent fishing and selling bans declared by several local governments.

"They include fish sellers and vendors, many of whom were forced to shut down their stalls after the oil spill contaminated fish and shellfish products caught in their locality," he explained.

He concluded: "The Senate inquiry will continue to study how maritime regulations could be improved to prevent unregistered and unseaworthy vessels from going out to sea, and to avoid future oil spills."

Lubos na nagpasalamat si Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino kay Pangulong Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. para sa 'cash relief' na ipinamahagi ng huli sa may 9,000 mangingisda mula sa siyam na coastal cities and