MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday extended cash assistance worth PHP64.5 million to over 8,600 Navotas fisherfolk affected by the massive oil spill in Bataan province.
During the turnover rites at the Navotas Sports Complex in Navotas City, Marcos announced his decision to raise the presidential assistance to each beneficiary to PHP7,500 from PHP5,000, as a present to them since he would be celebrating his 67th birthday on Friday.
‘Ang tadhana natin ay hindi nakatali sa trahedya at sa sakuna, kung hindi sa ating kakayahan magtulungan, magkaisa, at bumangon mula sa pagsubok (Our destiny is not tied to tragedy and disaster, but to our ability to work together, unite, and rise from the ordeal),’ Marcos said.
‘Sama-sama nating haharapin ang bukas-hindi lamang para malampasan ang unos, kung hindi para umusbong mula rito ang mas matatag at mas handa, at anumang hamon ng buhay ay kaya natin harapin (We will face the future together-not just to weather the storm, but to become stronger and mo
re prepared so we can face the challenges that we will face),’ he added.
Marcos turned over the check to the city government of Navotas.
He said the Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez would also donate 10 kilograms of rice to each beneficiary.
He added that the talks between the government and owners of MTKR Terranova, which capsized off the waters of Bataan, are ongoing for the compensation of fisherfolk whose livelihood was affected by the sinking of the tanker.
‘Ang tulong na ating ipapamahagi ngayon ay hindi lamang simbolo ng suporta, kundi ng ating paninindigan na hindi natin pababayaan ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa panahon ng pangangailangan (The assistance that we will distribute today is not only a symbol of support, but of our commitment that we will not abandon our countrymen, especially in times of need),’ Marcos said.
Ongoing investigation
Marcos said the government is also looking into the possibility that the tankers involved in the Bataan oil spill were involved in o
il smuggling.
‘Lahat ito ay iniimbestigahan para tiyakin na pananagutin natin ang mga may sala (All of this is being investigated to make sure we hold those responsible accountable),’ he said.
As of Sept. 10, some 1,384,211 liters of oily waste were collected from MTKR Terranova, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank late July.
Marcos said he would expect the conclusion of the oil siphoning from the sunken tanker soon.
‘Sa gitna ng mga katanungan, may mabuting balita naman tayong hatid. Ligtas nang ihain ang mga isda at iba pang mga pagkaing dagat sa ating mga lamesa. Samakatuwid, maayos po ang kalidad ng hangin at tubig ng Navotas para sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan (In the midst of questions, we have good news. Fish and other seafood are now safe to be served on our tables. Therefore, the quality of air and water in Navotas is good for the health of our countrymen),’ he said.
Navotas fisherfolk have been suffering from low farmgate prices due to the oil spill sc
are.
A few days after the oil tanker capsized, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) installed an oil spill boom at the entrance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) floodgates in Barangay Tanza Uno, Navotas City as a preventive measure.
Marcos said the implementation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s ‘Kalinisan Program’, an initiative aimed at consolidating efforts to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment for the public, is also crucial in promoting cleanliness in Navotas City and keeping it safe from the threat of disasters.
‘Mahalagang bahagi ng programang ito ang paghikayat sa mga komunidad na magsagawa ng mga solid waste management intervention at clean-up activity na makatutulong upang mapigilan na maharangan ng mga basura ang ating mga (An important part of this program is encouraging communities to carry out solid waste management interventions and clean-up activities that will help to prevent garbage from blocking our) flood control structure,’ he
said.
Source: Philippines News agency