The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office MIMAROPA, continues to distribute aid to families affected by the oil spill brought by the sunken motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress in Oriental Mindoro since the incident happened last February 28.

The DSWD said that, as of press time, the FO MIMAROPA has extended a total of 11,109 Family Food Packs (FFPs) amounting to more than Php 7.7 million to the Provincial Government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. Of this number, 2,057 FFPs were already distributed to different affected localities in the province.

The Department released a total of 907 food packs to the affected families in the Municipality of Pola while 1,150 FFPs were distributed to the Municipality of Pinamalayan. Meanwhile, the schedule of the distribution of relief aid to other affected areas is yet to be determined.

Last Saturday, March 4, Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally led the provision of relief items to the affected residents of Barangays Misong, Tagumpay, and Zone 2 in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

Based on the latest report, the Department recorded some 11,059 families from 69 barangays in seven municipalities of the province who have been affected by the incident.

Meanwhile, the DSWD said that FO MIMAROPA has enough resources and that it is ready to provide food packs as an augmentation to the affected local government units (LGUs).

Secretary Gatchalian likewise committed to the LGUs that the Department will continue to distribute relief assistance in four waves to the affected population.

In addition, the Department is set to conduct a Cash-For-Work (CFW) Program for the residents who will help in the cleanup of oils that spilled in the waters of Oriental Mindoro. Schedule for the roll out of the CFW program is yet to be announced.

“Plans laid out… waves of food packs for affected fisherfolks and cash-for-work. All set in motion,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a post.

The DSWD, through its FO MIMAROPA, continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with the LGUs to ensure that appropriate interventions are provided to the affected population. ###