Makabayan seeks House probe on Mindoro oil spill

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives urged the Committees on Natural Resources to investigate the effects of an oil spill caused by a sunken tanker off Oriental Mindoro.

House Resolution No. 869 was filed to conduct an investigation into the environmental and livelihood impacts of the spill, which has affected thousands of fishermen and led to health issues for residents.

Environmental groups like Kalikasan PNE and Pamalakaya also backed the resolution, noting that oil from the vessel has reached a radius of 40 kilometers, threatening protected natural areas including coral reefs and mangrove habitats.

The spill threatens the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, which spans over 1.4 million hectares and supports more than two million people in MIMAROPA and Western Visayas regions.