Oil spill reaches Oriental Mindoro towns, bans imposed

The oil spill from the sunken MT Princess Empress has reached the towns of Baco and San Teodoro in Oriental Mindoro, which are located along the significant marine area of the Verde Island Passage.

Water samples from Baco and San Teodoro confirmed the presence of industrial fuel and grease beyond the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' allowable standards.

Governor Humerlito Dolor stated that swimming and fishing are currently unsafe in these affected waters, and a fishing and swimming ban will be imposed.

The province is preparing to declare a province-wide State of Calamity due to the continued spread of the oil spill.

The MT Princess Empress was carrying approximately 900,000 liters of industrial fuel when it sank on February 28.

The incident has impacted over 170,000 residents across four provinces, including more than 17,000 fisherfolk appealing for aid, and has affected 61 tourism sites and around 1,000 tourist workers.