DSWD gives P223M aid to oil spill victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided P223 million in assistance to victims of the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro and surrounding regions.

This assistance, which includes family food packs, non-food items, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), emergency cash transfer, and cash for work programs, has been given to distressed families in Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Antique, and Palawan.

Nearly 1,000 families from Pola, Oriental Mindoro, affected by a fishing ban due to the oil spill, received P20,054 each in cash assistance.

The cash assistance is composed of Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) and food and cash assistance/other support services under AICS.

The MT Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of fuel when it sank on February 28 after experiencing engine trouble.

Other government agencies have also provided aid, including the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with P10.3 million worth of livelihood grants and P102 million in financial assistance, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with livelihood kits and loan approvals from Small Business Corporation (SBCorp).