Victims of Bataan oil spill receive aid from Marcos

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday assured the families affected by the oil spill in Bataan and nearby areas that those responsible would be held accountable.

During the distribution of cash assistance to fishermen and their families in Navotas City who were affected by the oil spill in Bataan, Marcos said investigations are ongoing, including determining the liabilities and who should be held responsible.

“The search for answers continues, including if the vessels were involved in oil smuggling. Why do two of the vessels continue to sail even if they are not registered?” he said.

“All of these are being investigated to ensure that we hold those liable accountable,” Marcos added.

Motor tankers Terranova, Jason Bradley, and Mirola sank off the coast of Bataan last July due to adverse weather.

Jason Bradley and Mirola were later found lacking registration.

Valves from the sunken motor tanker Terranova have been sealed while the containment of oil leakage has so far been successful.

Over 1.38 million liters of oil were collected from the vessel between August 19 and September 10 and transported to a waste management facility in Marilao, Bulacan, for proper disposal.

For Jason Bradley, pumps and siphoning pipes have been set up even while no oil sheen was observed. The vessel will be transported to a shipyard in Mariveles, Bataan on Saturday.

The Mirola has been moored at a shipyard in Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles.

The President, during the event, extended P65. 197 million worth of financial assistance and various government aid to 8,693 fisherfolk and their families in Navotas City affected by the oil spill.

Marcos, initially set to provide a P5,000 cash aid to each beneficiary, raised it to P7,500 each so they could feel that it was his birthday. The President is celebrating his 67th birthday today, Friday.

He said the assistance provided to the oil spill-hit residents symbolizes the government’s support and assurance that the administration would not abandon them in their time of need.

During the event, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also distributed livelihood assistance in the form of post-harvest materials, replacement of nets for mussel